(June 12) Harry Wise kicked off the 1955 for Yankton in grand style with a three-hit shutout as the Terrys downed Mitchell 2-0. Yankton took the lead in the first inning when losing pitcher Ivan Johannes hit first baseman Bill Walker after a pair of errors had loaded the bases. Bill Hardy homered in the 7th.
Ivan Johannes (L), Stan Suba (8) and Wellman
Wise (W) and Joe Marges
(June 12) Valentine Hearts opened their 1955 season with a win, 6-5 over Winner. Playing-manager Jack Baer had a homer to lead the winners. J. Simus homered for the Pheasants. Bob Ridenour picked up the mound decision.
Swigart (L) and S. Riles
Ridenour (W) and Baer
(June 12) In a wild finish at Watertown, Huron Elks erased a 6-2 deficit with a nine-run outburst in the 9th inning to notch an 11-6 victory. Elks sent 13 men to the plate in the 9th and registered seven consecutive hits, including a two-run double by Connie Juelke, Vern McKee's two-run triple and Dick Ackerman's two-run homer. McKee also had a two-run homer and a single.
Brittin (W), Swota (9) and Kohorst
Bryja, Wagner (L) (9), Coombs (9) and Smith
(June 14) Playing manager Lou Lucas doubled in two runs in the 8th inning to provide Winner with a 3-2 win over Pierre. Lucas' game-winner followed a solo homer by Soddy Groat. Cowboys had taken a 2-0 lead into the 8th frame on a homer by Dan McGinnis and a run-scoring double by Milt Welch. Jim Kluck picked up the win in relief of start Everett Sullivan. Clark allowed just five hits in taking the loss.
Clark (L) and Welch
Sullivan, Kluck (W) (4) and Riles
(June 14) Ray Coombs blanked Mitchell on five hits as Watertown topped the Kernels 8-0 taking advantage of six Mitchell errors. Paul Donovan's three-run double was the game's big blow. Kermit Wahl had two hits and three walks for the lake Sox.
Coombs (W) and Smith
Blind (L), Suba (8) and Schiltz
(June 14) Ray Fletcher's two-run, inside-the-park homer in the 9th inning handed Valentine a 6-4 win over Chamberlain. Fletcher's blast followed Allen Kiddy's run-scoring single. Fran Hofmaier held the Chiefs to five hits to register the win. Paul Harrison was saddled with the loss.
Hofmaier (W) and Baer
Harrison (L) and Sanchez
(July 14) Huron Elks combined its three hits with three Yankton errors for a six-run inning in a 7-3 win over the Terrys, who made a total of seven miscues. Bill Anderson's two-run double was the key hit. Connie Juelke also doubled. Phil Haugstad was the winning pitcher. Bob Saban allowed just four hits in taking the loss.
Haugstad (W), Swota (8) and Kohorst
Saban (L) and Buckstead
(June 16) In a game which was scoreless until the 10th inning, Yankton notched a 2-1, 11-inning triumph. Hal Swigart and Paul Susce pitched shutout ball until the 10th when Winner pushed across a run on Bud Pritchard's double. Terrys knotted the count in the bottom of the 10th as pinch hitter H. Jorgensen doubled and scored on Bernie Schreiber's single. In the 11ith Vince Rago singled and advanced to second on a ground out and scored as Joe Buckstead belted a liner off the glove of first baseman Jerry Siegert. Terrys reliever Merlyn Jorgensen picked up the win.
Swigart (L) and Stu Riles
Susce, Jorgensen (W) (11) and Buckstead
(June 16) Sy Boxer had a no-hitter for seven innings finishing with a two-hit shutout as Chamberlain downed Huron 3-0. Boxer fanned 12 and walked only one. Loser Don Tauscher allowed just four hits and had 13 strikeouts over eight innings worked. Jerry Ledwidge bashed a two-run double in the first inning and scored the third run on an error.
Tauscher (L), Swota (9) and Kohorst
Boxer (W) and Sanchez
(June 16) Valentine dumped Mitchell 10-4 for the club's third straight win and top spot in the Basin League standings. Tony Risinger went the distance holding the Kernels to eight hits. He fanned 12. Ray Fletcher homered for the Hearts and Guy Wellman had a four-bagger for Mitchell.
Risinger (W) and Baer
VanProyen (L), Suba (5) and Wellman
(June 16) A six-run 2nd inning carried Watertown to an 11-1 win over Pierre. Ziggie Neipokoj tossed a five-hitter for the victory. He had a shutout into the 9th inning but gave up a run on three walks and a hit batter. Bob Musgrave bashed a three-run homer for the Lake Sox and Paul Donovan added a solo shot. Bill Horning had three singles.
Wenk (L), McGinnis (3), Nowicki (6) and Welch
Neipokoj (W) and Lindstrom
Valentine 3 0
Huron 2 1
Watertown 2 1
Yankton 2 1
Chamberlain 1 1
Winner 1 2
Pierre 0 2
Mitchell 0 3
(June 19) Mitchell Kernels announced the signing of former major leaguer Randy Gumpert. The righthander pitched in the American League with Philadelphia, New York, Boston and Chicago. He started the season with Charleston in the American Association.
(June 19) Huron at Valentine, Watertown at Winner, Pierre at Mitchell, Yankton at Chamberlain
Valentine 22, Huron 1
(June 20) Tom McGhee's two-run homer in the 3rd inning helped Watertown Lake Sox to a 5-3 win over Valentine Hearts. Ray Coombs pitched into the 7th inning to gain the mound victory.
Coombs (W), Bryja (7) and G Smith
McRee, Lindstrom, French and Baer
(June 20) Chamberlain lefty Paul Harrison fired a three-hitter to shutout Mitchell 5-0. The Chiefs had just eight hits. They scored in the 2nd on a walk, infield out, error and sac fly. A bases loaded walk produced a run in the 3rd and Chamberlain plated three in the 5th on a hit batsman, two singles and Jerry Ledwidge's triple.
Harrison (W) and Sanchez
Blind (L), Gumpert (5) and Wellman, Schiltz (9)
(June 20) Stan Suba, just acquired by Pierre from Mitchell, pitched the Cowboys to a 6-2 win over Yankton. Catcher Milt Welch gave Pierre the early lead with a homer in the 2nd inning. Dirk Rolston's homer in the 3rd made it 2-0. Terrys' first baseman Bill Walker tied it with a two-run blast in the 4th. Pierre shortstop Eddie Taylor knocked in what proved to be the winning run with a double in the 7th inning. His 9th inning single drove in two more.
Suba (W) and Welch
Saban (L), Jorgensen (8) and Buckstead
(June 20) Huron Elks rapped out 20 hits to crush Winner 11-4. Lead off man Dick Ackerman had five hits and Connie Juelke went 4 for 4 with a homer. Andy Swota, making his first start of the season, went the distance for the win and helped out with two hits and three runs batted in.
Swota (W) and Kohorst
Swigert (L), Sullivan (5) and Riles
(June 21) Joe Snyder and Ray Fletcher crushed two-run homers to lead Valentine Hearts to a 12-4 win over Pierre. Valentine jumped into a 3-0 margin in the first frame on a walk to Snyder and singles by Orvil Rickey, Allan Kiddy and Fletcher. They added two in the 3rd on singles by Kiddy and Fletcher, a double by Jack Baer and singles by Bob Burr and Del Holt. Dan McGinnis homered for the Cowboys. Bob Ridenour picked up the win.
Ridenour (W) and Baer
Wenk (L), Younger (4), McGinnis (7) and Welch
(June 22) Watertown Lake Sox gave up five runs in the first inning but rebounded to down Yankton 14-8. Sox starter Ziggy Neipokoj was driven from the hill without retiring a batter as the Terrys scored five times with Paul Tretiak and Merlyn Jorgensen providing key doubles. The Sox then knocked Yankton starter out of the game in the bottom of the first scoring four times with Kermit Wahl and Paul Donovan getting two-run doubles. Watertown's reserve catcher, 18-year-old Chuck Lindstrom, belted a three-run homer and two singles. Wahl knocked in four runs and Hal Haddican drove in three. Ron Richards picked up the win with seven innings of three-hit relief.
Susce, Boltz (L) (1), Jorgensen (4) and Buckstead
Neipokoj, Richards (W) (1), Bryja (8) and Lindstrom
(June 22) Mitchell Kernels pushed across two runs in the 2nd inning and made them stand up for a 2-1 victory over Huron. Shortstop Don Johnson singled to open the frame, advanced on a single by Ed Schiltz. After Buzz Haviland' s sacrifice moved both runners into scoring position, Mike Lucas singled to plate both runs. Frank Noble double in the 4th inning scored Vern McKee for Huron. Glen VanProyen pitched six-hitter for the win.
VanProyen (W) and Wellman, Schiltz (8)
Tauscher (L) and Kohorst
(June 23) Catcher Arnie Sanchez bashed two homers, one a grand slam, and doubled, driving in seven runs to lead Chamberlain past Watertown 15-4. Jerry Lidwidge added a three-run homer. Righthander Joe Langhammer scattered eight hits to capture the mound win. Bill Horning had three hits for the Sox.
Langhamer (W) and Sanchez
Wagner (L), Neipokoj (4) and Lindstrom
(June 23) Buzz Haviland crushed a two-run homer and Ed Schiltz had three more hits as Mitchell Kernels downed Winner 6-1. The three safeties for Schiltz gave him six hits in his last eight trips to the plate. Ivan Johannes went the route for his second win.
Johannes (W) and Wellman
Sullivan (L), Kluck (6) and Burtner
(June 23) Yankton Terrys upset the league-leading Valentine Hearts 9-4 riding a three-run homer by Bill Hardy and a two-run shot by Bill Branson. Harry Wise went the distance for the win. Bill White led the Hearts with a homer and double. Yankton catcher Joe Marges and manager Marvin Olson were ejected in the 5th inning, but after a crowd pleasing plea from Olson and the consent of Valentine manager Jack Baer, both Olson and Marges were allowed to continue. The dispute arose when Marges questioned a pitch call.
Hofmaier (L), French (6) and Baer
Wise (W) and Marges
(June 23) Huron Elks downed Pierre 6-4. Hank Ertman led the winners with a double and two singles and Connie Juelke continue his hot streak with a triple and double. Jack Brittin went the route for the victory.
Novicki (L) and Welch
Brittin (W) and Kohorst
(June 25) Huron vs Chamberlain
(June 27) Valentine Hearts scored four runs in the top of the 9th inning to tie and pushed across a pair in the 13th to defeat Watertown Lake Sox 8-7. Orville Rickey singled in one run and Ray Fletcher drove in the second with a sacrifice fly. In the 9th, down 6-2 with two outs, the Hearts combined a walk, five hits and an error to knot the count. Watertown got one run back in the bottom of the 13th on Bob Musgrave's double. Bill White homered for Valentine in the 6th.
Shirley (W), Risinger (13) and Baer
Stewart, Bryja (L) (9) and Lindstrom
(June 27) In a game in which all the runs were unearned, Joe Langhammer was the pitching and hitting hero as Chamberlain Chiefs shaded Mitchell Kernels 3-2. The teams combined for 9 errors, six by Mitchell. Langhammer fired a five-hitter with 11 strikeouts for the win. He was the Chiefs' offensive force with three hits.
VanProyen (L) and Wellman
Langhammer (W) and Sanchez
(June 27) Dick Anderson had three hits and scored four as Huron topped Winner 10-4. Frank Noble and Johnny Thiel each drove in three. Connie Juelke extended his hitting streak to 10 games with three hits to increase his average to .538. Lefty Andy Swota registered the win in a relief role.
Swigert (L) and Riles
Haugstad, Swota (W) (1), Tauscher (6) and Kohorst
(June 30) Pierre Cowboys dumped Winner Pheasants 8-3. Catcher Milt Welch led the offense with a double and two singles. Keith Peterson had a homer for the winners. Lou Lucas, Winners' playing manager, had a homer for the Pheasants. Novicki scattered nine hits for the win.
Taylor (L) and Burtner
Novicki (W) and Welch
(June 30) Valentine Hearts moved back into first place in the Basin League standings with a 7-5 victory over Chamberlain Chiefs. Bob Ridenour held the Chiefs to nine hits in registering the win. A four run outburst in the 8th inning proved decisive.
Ridenour (W) and Baer
Harrison, Wolfgram (L) (7), Boxer (8) and Sanchez
(June 30) Huron Elks bashed three homers in the first inning and went on to trounce Yankton 15-3. Homers by Vern McKee, Dick Anderson and Frank Noble gave the Elks an early 3-0 lead. Huron followed with a five-run 2nd frame to chase starter Bob Saban. McKee had three hits, drove in three and scored four runs. Noble added three hits, three runs batted in and scored a pair. Connie Juelke knocked in four runs with a homer and single. Paul Tretiak belted a homer for the losers. Don Tauscher, who relieved starter Eric Kitzman in the 5th, picked up the win.
Kitzman, Tauscher (W) (5) and Kohorst
Saban (L), Susce (2) and Marges
(June 30) Huron outfielder Connie Juelke is the early batting leader in the Basin League. Juelke, at .538, is more than 100 points ahead of the runnerup Kermit Wahl of Watertown, at .429. Jerry Ledwidge of Chamberlain is 3rd, .379, ahead of Allan Kiddy of Valentine, .378. Three batters are tied at .375, Mike Lucas of Mitchell, Dirkes Rolston of Pierre and Bill Hardly of Yankton. Ray Fletcher of Valentine, 9th in the race, leads in home runs, 4, and runs batted in, 20. Harry Wise of Yankton is the leading pitcher with a 3-0 record (and he added number four Wednesday with a three-hitter). Ray Combs, Watertown, and Bob Ridenour, Valentine, are also at 3-0.
AB H PCT
Juelke, Connie Huron 39 21 .538
Walh, Kermit Watertown 35 15 .429
Ledwidge, Jerry Chamberlain 29 11 .379
Kiddy, Allan Valentine 45 17 .378
Lucas, Mike Mitchell 32 12 .375
Rolston, Dirkes Pierre 32 12 .375
Hardy Bill, Yankton 32 12 .375
Frazier, Shep Yankton 27 9 .333
Fletcher, Ray Valentine 43 14 .326
Ordenana, Tony Winner 28 9 .321
W L GB
Valentine 8 4
Yankton 7 4 0.5
Huron 7 5 1.0
Watertown 7 5 1.0
Mitchell 6 6 2.0
Chamberlain 4 7 3.5
Pierre 4 7 3.5
Winner 3 8 4.4
(July 2) Eddie Taylor singled in Dirkes Rolston in the bottom of the 9th inning to give Pierre a 10-9 win over Chamberlain Chiefs. The Chiefs had drawn even in the top of the 9th on John Dean's bases loaded single. The visitors had taken a 2-09 lead in the 3rd inning on Frank Palamara's two-run double. Pierre roared back to take a 7-2 lead in the 4th with a five-run rally which included singles by Dan McGinnis and Craig Sorenson, Lee Utt's double and a homer by Milt Welch. Stan Suba was the winner in relief of Don Quayle, on leave from the army.
Langhamer (L) and Sanchez
Quayle, Suba (W) (9) and Welch
(July 3) Bill Evans tossed a four-hitter as Pierre topped Chamberlain 8-4. Lee Utt homered for the Cowboys. Sy Boxer took the loss.
Boxer (L), Harrison and Sanchez
Evans (W) and Welch
(July 3) Rightfielder Paul Tretiak clubbed a two-run homer in the 8th inning to give Yankton a 5-4 win over Mitchell. Bob Saban picked up the win.
Bob Saban (W) and Buckstead
Blind, Randy Gumpert (L) (7) and Wellman
(July 3) On Sunday, Winner upset Valentine Hearts 5-3 behind Al Swigert's seven-hitter. Tony Risinger allowed just five hits, but was saddled with the loss.
Swigert (W) and xxx
Risinger (L) and xxx
(July 3) A seven-run 7th inning, highlighted by Dick Ackerman's grand-slam homer, carried Huron to a 10-7 win over Watertown. Dick Anderson added a two-run blast in the same frame. Andy Swota managed to go the distance for the win.
Bryja (L),. Coombs (7) and Smith
Swota (W) and Kohorst
(July 4) Pierre Cowboys won their 5th straight with a 9-3 triumph over Chamberlain. Dave Manier went the distance holding the Chiefs to six hits. Craig Sorenson and Lee Utt pounded homers. It was Utt's second homer in two days.
Manier (W) and Welch
Bauer (L), Sgro and Sanchez
(July 4) Paul Tretiak's three-run homer in the first frame set the stage for Yankton's big win over Mitchell. The Terrys scored a 12-2 victory as Harry Wise cruised for the mound win. Jack Davis and Bill Branson had two-run homers for the Terrys and Bernie Schreiber had a four-bagger for the Kernels. Ed Schiltz had three hits for Yankton.
Glen VanProyen (L), Denny Blind (7) and Guy Wellman, Ed Schiltz,
Harry Wise (W) and Joe Buckstead
(July 4) Valentine Hearts erupted for eight runs in the first inning and another four in the second and went on to demolish Winner 21-10 in a game called after seven innings because of the lopsided score and the need for three Winner players to catch a plan for California. The trio were to join their University of Southern California colleagues on a four of the Orient. Winning pitcher Jack Shirley was the hitting star for the Hearts with a pair of homers, one a grand slam. Bill White also homered for Valentine while the Pheasants got homers by Ray Burtner, Jerry Siegert and Lou Lucas..
Kluck (L), Taylor (1), Lucas (1), Burtner (4), Siegert (8) and Burtner, Riles
Shirley (W) and Baer
(July 4) Norm Stewart held Huron to 9 hits as Watertown notched an 8-2 win. Gene Smith knocked in three runs with a double and single. Connie Juelke had two hits for Huron to extend his hitting streak to 14 games.
Stewart (W) and Smith
Tauscher (L) and Kohorst
(July 5) In a slugfest at Madison, Huron Elks downed the Madison Broncs of the State League 17-13. Dick Anderson led the offense with a homer and two singles. Elks were outhit 16 to 12 but took advantage of 10 Madison errors.
Wolfgram (W), Thiel (7), Kitzman (7) and Kohorst
Schorer (L) and Rensch
(July 6) Ray Coombs held Chamberlain to just five hits while the Lake Sox pounded out 18 safeties in a 17-1 trouncing. Paul Donovan drove in six runs for Watertown and Gene Smith knocked in three. Coombs fanned 11 and walked four.
Coombs (W) and Smith
Langhammer (L) and Sanchez
(July 6) Mitchell Kernels whipped Winner 12-3 to spoil Ray Burtner's debut as Pheasants' playing manager. Burtner, the club's catcher, replaced Lou Lucas, who remained with the team as an infielder. Randy Gumpert went the distance to gain the win, although allowing 11 hits including a pair of homers by Del Peterson and another by Bill Antonello. Al Leap had a homer for Mitchell.
Taylor (L), Black (8) and Burtner
Gumpert (W) and Schiltz
(July 6) Valentine Hearts pushed across four runs in the 4th inning and held on for an 8-7 win over Yankton in spite of four homers by the Terrys. Bruce Schreiber, Shep Frazier, Bill Hardy and Joe Buckstead. Ray Fletcher homered for the Hearts.
Susce, Jorgenson (4), Wise (5) and Buckstead
Ridenour (W) and Baer
(July 6) Elmer Kohorst belted a two-run homer in the 9th inning to give Huron a 10-8 victory over Pierre. It was the day's 5th homer. Vern McKee clubbed pair with Dick Anderson and John Thiel adding singletons. Kohorst had three hits and scored three times. Connie Juelke of the Elks singled in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to 15 games.
Brittin (W) and Kohorst
Suba, Younger (L) (8) and Welch
(July 6) Huron Elks announced the release of pitcher Eric Kitzman and the acquisition of two hurlers - Sy Boxer, who pitched for Chamberlain, and Hal Lawler from Rollins College. Lawler was a teammate of Elks' Don Tauscher
W L GB
Valentine 10 5
Yankton 9 5 0.5
Huron 9 6 1.0
Watertown 9 6 1.0
Mitchell 7 8 3.0
Pierre 6 8 3.5
Winner 4 10 5.5
Chamberlain 4 10 5.5
(July 8) Bill White and Bob Burr belted back-to-back doubles in the 10th inning to give Valentine a 5-4 win over Mitchell. Tony Risinger allowed just six hits in going the distance for the win. Orville Rickey homered for the Hearts. The Kernels had two homers, by Mike Lucas and Don Johnson.
Risinger (W) and Baer
Blind, VanProyen (L) (5) and Schiltz
(July 8) Chamberlain Chiefs broke loose for six runs in the first inning, three on a Bob Soltis homer, and went on to a 12-6 victory over Huron Elks. Chiefs had just eight hits but took advantage of 11 bases on balls and two Huron errors. John Dean also homered for the Chiefs. Dick Ackerman had a four-bagger for Huron. Russ Bauer was the winner, in relief.
Harrison, Bauer (W) (2) and Sanchez, Elliott
Tauscher (L), Boxer (7) and Kohorst
(July 8) In his third mound appearance in five days, Harry Wise registered his 6th win of the season in a 12-3 win for Yankton over Winner. Bernie Schreiber and Bill Branson each had three hits for Yankton. Lou Lucas had a pair for Winner.
Wolfgram (L), Kluck (4), Swigert (7) and Burtner, Riles (7)
Wise (W), Jorgenson (7) and Buckstead
(July 9) Watertown Lake Sox downed Pierre 8-3 behind Bob Stewart's six-hitter and a pair of homers by Bob Musgrave. Craig Sorenson bashed a homer for the Cowboys. Gene Smith knocked in three runs for the Sox with a pair of singles.
Evans (L) and Younger
Stewart (W) and Smith
Valentine 11 5
Yankton 10 6 1.0
Huron 10 7 1.5
Watertown 10 7 1.5
Mitchell 8 9 3.5
Pierre 7 9 4.0
Chamberlain 5 10 5.5
Winner 4 12 7.0
(July 10) Glen VanProyen allowed two unearned runs in the opening frame then shutout Pierre the rest of the way as Kernels scored a 4-2 victory. VanProyen held the Cowboys to four hits, all singles, and belted a homer and added two singles to lead the offense. The Kernels rebounded to tie at 2-2 in the 6th on Guy Wellman's double, scoring Ed Schiltz, and took the lead on Al Leap's two-bagger.
VanProyen (W) and Wellman
Manier (L), Suba (9) and Welch
(July 10) Winning pitcher Jack Shirley had three hits and belted one of the game's seven homers as Valentine Hearts trounced Huron 11-3. Shirley tossed a six-hitter for the win compiling eight strikeouts with just one free pass. Hearts had four homers, by Orville Rickey, Jack Baer, Bob Burr and Shirley. Connie Juelke had a pair for the Elks and Dick Ackerman had one.
Brittin (L), Lawler (5) and Kohorst
Shirley (W) and Baer
(July 11) Al Ware had four hits, including three doubles, to lead Winner's offensive outburst in a 12-5 win over Huron. Bob Black gave up just seven hits in gaining the win but allowed 11 walks and hit a batter while fanning 11. Black stopped Connie Juelke's 18-game hitting streak as the Huron outfielder went 0 for 5. Andy Swota took the loss.
Swota (L), Boxer (5) and Kohorst
Black (W) and Riles
(July 11) Playing manager Jack Baer bashed a two-run homer in the bottom of the 9th inning to give Valentine a 10-9 win over Watertown. Baer drove in Ray Fletcher, who reached on an error. The Watertown playing manager, Kermit Wahl, had a pinch-hit, two-run homer in the 8th inning. Bob Musgrave and Gene Smith also pounded homers. Tony Risinger was the winner in relief.
Coombs, Niepokoj (7), Stewart (8) and Smith
Ridenour, Risinger (8) and Baer
(July 11) Although outhit 13-9, Chamberlain Chiefs shaded Mitchell Kernels 7-6. Mitchell handed the Chiefs three early runs thanks to some sloppy defensive play. Wayne Tucker had a two-run homer for the winners and Jerry Ledwidge had two hits. Al Leap clubbed a pair of homers for Mitchell, driving in four runs. Buzz Haviland had three hits and knocked in a pair. Joe Langhammer was the winning pitcher.
Langhammer (W) and Sanchez
Gumpert (L), Blind (9) and Wellman
(July 11) Merlyn Jorgensen's pinch-hit, three-run homer in the 7th inning carried Yankton to a 6-2 win over Pierre Cowboys. Bob Saban held the Cowboys to six hits to capture the win. He fanned ten.
Novicki (L), Suba (7) and Welch
Saban (W) and Buckstead
(July 12) Winner Pheasants punched out 16 hits in whipping Huron 12-5. Winning pitcher Bob Black held the Elks to 7 hits and one earned run and was a force on offense with three doubles and five runs batted in. Al Ware had four hits and Larry Watson had a triple and single and scored four times.
Swota (L), Boxer (6) and Kohorst
Black (W) and Riles
(July 12) Valentine Hearts scored three runs in the 9th inning to down Pierre Cowboys 9-6. Ray Fletcher's homer was a key hit for the winners. Bill Evans had a three-run homer for Pierre.
Hofmaier, French (W) (5) and Baer
Evans (L) and Welch
Valentine 14 5
Yankton 11 6 2.0
Watertown 10 8 3.5
Huron 10 9 4.0
Mitchell 9 10 5.0
Chamberlain 6 10 6.5
Pierre 7 12 7.0
Winner 5 12 8.0
(July 13) Newcomer Hal Lawler pitched Huron to a 4-3 win over Mitchell. Lawler gave up all three runs, including homers by Al Leap and Don Johnson, in the 3rd inning then settled down to blank the Kernels the rest of the way. Hank Ertman led the Elks with a homer and two singles. Dick Ackerman drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th.
Johannes, Gumpert (9) and Wellman
Lawler (W) and Kohorst
(July 13) Watertown combined five hits with eight walks and two Yankton errors to down the Terrys 6-3. Bill Horning had a double and single for the Lake Sox. Walt Bryja picked up the win. Shep Frazier of the Terrys had the only homer.
Susce (L), Puga (8), and Buckstead
Bryja (W), Wagner (7), Neipokoj (8) and Smith
(July 14) Kermit Wahl had a two-run homer and Bob Musgrave a solo shot as Watertown shaded Chamberlain 4-2. Norm Stewart scattered eight hits to take the win. Rocky Sgro and Arnie Sanchez accounted for the Chiefs' runs with homers.
Bauers (L), Tanner (8) and Sanchez
Stewart (W) and Smith
(July 14) Mitchell Kernels rapped out 18 hits and took advantage of eight errors to trounce Winner Pheasants 20-1 behind Denny Blind's four-hitter. Johnny Brice drove in five runs. Don Johnson had a homer. Al Ware accounted for the only Winner tally with a 9th inning homer. Blind notched his second win against three losses and chalked up his first complete game.
Blind (W) and Wellman, Schiltz
Wolfgram (L), Kluck (4) and Riles
(July 14) Harry Wise topped Jack Shirley in a mound duel as Yankton registered a 2-1 victory at Yankton. It was the 7th straight victory for Wise. Jack Davis's 6th inning homer proved to be the winning run. The Terrys first run came in the 2nd inning on singles by Paul Tretiak, Bill Hardy and Corky Buckstead. Bob Burr singled in Allen Kiddy with the lone Valentine run in the 7th inning. Each team had just five hits.
Shirley (L) and Baer
Wise (W) and Buckstead
(July 14) Hank Ertman's homer in the bottom of the 11th inning gave Huron a 4-3 win over Pierre. Don Tauscher went the distance, holding the Cowboys to nine hits. Craig Sorenson had a homer for the losers.
Manier (L) and Welch
Tauscher (W) and Kohorst
(July 14) Basin League teams announced the release of seven players and the acquisition of twelve. League secretary Cliff Plowman reported the following :
Released : Jim McCree OF Winner, Gene Puckett P Winner, Rocky Ordenano OF Winner, Eric Kitzman P Huron.
Released and signed by other teams : Sy Boxer P, released by Chamberlain, signed by Huron; John Enrietto INF, released by Chamberlain, signed by Winner.
Newly signed : Larry Watson 1B Winner, Louis Puga P Yankton, Bob Black P Winner, Al Ware 3B Winner, Jack Davis OF Yankton, Bill Antonello OF Mitchell, Hal Lawler P Huron, Bill Tanner P Chamberlain, Tom McDevitt Chamberlain.
Valentine 14 6
Yankton 12 7 1.5
Watertown 12 8 2.0
Huron 12 9 2.5
Mitchell 10 11 4.5
Pierre 7 13 7.0
Chamberlain 6 12 7.0
Winner 6 13 7.5
(July 15) Winning pitcher Glen VanProyen drew a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the 9th inning to give Mitchell a 3-2 victory over Yankton. Don Johnson rapped a double to leadoff the 9th then Luis Puga walked three straight batters to hand the win to the Kernels. Ed Schiltz had given Mitchell a lead in the first inning with a solo homer. Terrys tied it in the 3rd on a walk and three hits. Jack Davis clubbed a homer in the 5th to put Yankton in the lead. Kernels knotted the county in the 6th on Johnny Brice's triple and Johnson's single. VanProyen allowed just seven hits in capturing the win.
Puga (L) and Buckstead
VanProyen (W) and Wellman
(July 15) Pierre Cowboys rode a three-run 7th inning to a 5-4 win over Chamberlain. Lee Utt had two hits to lead Pierre while Wayne Tucker, the Chiefs' first sacker had five hits in five trips. Stan Suba was the winner. Joe Shrake took the loss.
Suba (W), Novicki and Welch
Shrake (L) and Sanchez
(July 15) After the fireworks had ended in Winner, the Valentine Hearts had pounded out 26 hits to register their 15th win of the season in a 21-6 win over the Pheasants. It was the second straight night Winner had given up 20 or more runs. Hearts playing manager Jack Baer led the attack with a three-run homer and a total of six rubs batted in. Joe Snyder knocked in five runs and Ray Fletcher and Bill White each had four. Tony Risinger coasted to the pitching victory.
Risinger (W) and Baer
Black (L), Kluck, Riles, Ware and Burtner, Riles
(July 15) The Watertown Lake Sox edged Huron 2-1 on homers by Bob Musgrave and Bill Donovan. Elks plated their only run in the 9th when Connie Juelke tripled to score Frank Noble. With Juelke on third and none out, Ray Coombs got a pop-up to short, a foul out to the catcher and a sensation grab by Donovan in deep left centre field to get out of the jam. Coombs allowed just six hits in taking the win. He had four strikeouts and a walk. Andy Swota was the hard-luck loser, giving up just seven hits. He fanned 9 and walked 1.
Coombs (W) and Smith
Swota (L) and Kohorst
(July 16) In a slugfest at Valentine, the Hearts had an eight-run inning and a six-run inning to get by Chamberlain 18-14. The contest featured seven homers, two by Frank Palamara. John Dean, Ray Fletcher, Jack Baer, Bob Burr and Bill White each had one. Bob Ridenour was credited with the win although he gave up 14 hits and 13 runs in 6 1/3 innings.
Tanner (L), Sgro (7) and Sanchez
Ridenour (W), French (7) and Baer
(July 17) Chamberlain bashed 26 hits in a wild 24-9 victory over Valentine. Frank Palamara and Jerry Ledwidge had homers for the Chiefs. Bill White homered for Valentine.
Langhammer (W) and Sanchez
Hofmaier (L), Abbey (3), Holt (3) and Baer
(July 17) Dirkes Rolston had four hits, including a pair of doubles, to pace Pierre to an 8-3 triumph over Winner. Bill Evans held the Pheasants to seven hits and helped at the plate with a two-run single in the 2nd inning. Milt Welch had a two-run homer for the losers.
Taylor (L), Wolfgram (3) and Riles
Evans (W) and Welch
(July 17) Connie Juelke bashed a pair of two-run homers to account for all the Huron scoring in a 4-3 victory over Yankton and Harry Wise. The Terrys righthander had a spotless 7-0 mark before running into the Elks. Jack Davis had a two-run homer for Yankton. Hal Lawler picked up the pitching win with relief help from Jack Brittin.
Lawler (W), Brittin (8) and Kohorst
Wise (L) and Buckstead
(July 17) Kermit Wahl's two-run homer in the third inning was all Watertown needed Sunday night as the Lake Sox edged Mitchell 2-1. It was the fourth straight win for the Sox and seventh in their last nine starts. Walt Bryja, with relief help from Ziggy Neipokoj, picked up the win. Randy Gumpert allowed just five hits in a losing effort. Bob Musgrave had three singles. Mitchell stranded 13 runners, including seven in the last three frames. In the 8th, with none out, the Kernels' John Brice was thrown out a home when he tried to score on a passed ball.
Gumpert (L), VanProyen (8) and Schiltz, Wellman (8)
Bryja (W), Neipokoj (8) and Smith
Valentine 16 7
Watertown 14 8
Yankton 12 9
Huron 13 10
Mitchell 11 12
Pierre 9 13
Chamberlain 7 14
Winner 6 15
(July 18)
(July 20) Pierre Cowboys announced the addition of utility player Tommy Cupps. The 19-year-old catcher / outfielder is from Arizona State University. He played last season for the Casa Grande Cotton Kings.
(July 20) Cuban Luis Puga held Chamberlain to eight hits as Yankton topped the Chiefs 4-1. Puga needed relief in the 9th as he loaded the bases with none out but Bob Saban got a strikeout and a double play to end the threat. Newcomer Al Radsavage knocked in the first Terrys run in the first inning. Chiefs tied it up in the 2nd on Rocky Sgro's homer. Chamberlain took the lead for good in the 3rd on a single by Radsavage and Merlyn Jorgensen's double and two errors. Puga, first baseman Radsavage and pitcher Ed Hobaugh are recent additions to the team replacing pitcher Paul Susce and first sacker Bill Walker, both released.
Buck Tanner (L) and Sanchez
Puga (W), Saban (9) and Buckstead
(July 20) Winner Pheasants handed Watertown a 6-5 win Wednesday night with two crucial errors in the 7th inning resulting in the tying and winning runs for the Lake Sox. Altogether Winner made five miscues. Reliever Ron Richards was the winning pitcher. Bob Black took the loss. Stewart Riles had three hits for the losers.
Black (L) and Riles
Neipokoj, Richards (W) (2) and Smith
(July 20) Mitchell Kernels dumped Pierre 9-1 behind Ivan Johannes' eight hit pitching and a three-run homer by Johnny Brice. The only run allowed by Johannes was a 2nd inning homer by Milt Welch.
Novicki (L), Younger (8) and Welch
Johannes (W) and Wellman
(July 20) Connie Juelke's first inning single drove in Dick Anderson with the only run of the game as Huron shutout Valentine 1-0. Although he blanked the Hearts on five hits, Don Tauscher retired the side in order in just two innings. He walked six. Tony Risinger took the loss allowing just four hits and a walk.
Risinger (L) and Baer
Tauscher (W) and Kohorst
Valentine 17 8
Yankton 14 9
Watertown 15 10
Huron 14 11
Mitchell 12 13
Pierre 10 14
Chamberlain 8 15
Winner 7 17
(July 22) Huron Elks announced the signing of righthanded pitcher Jerry Speck, a 24-year-old who pitched with Austin of the Southern Minnesota League earlier in the season and previously in the Texas League and Three-I loop. Speck replaces Sy Boxer who had been picked up from Chamberlain.
(July 22) An 11-0 lead almost wasn't enough. Winner ran up an early lead then had to hold off the Mitchell Kernels for a 13-12 victory. Stewart Riles led the Pheasants with a pair of homers. Al Ware had a singleton. Mike Lucas poked one out for the Kernels. Joe Cherveney hung in until the 7th to capture the win.
Cerveney (W), Swigert (7) and Riles
Blind (L), Gumpert (2), VanProyen (8) and Wellman, Schiltz
(July 22) Arnie Sanchez belted a homer in the bottom of the 11th inning to give Chamberlain a 3-2 win over Watertown. Russ Bauer picked up the win with 4 2/3s innings of shutout relief. Bauer came on with the bases loaded and one out in the 7th and proceeded to fan Paul Donovan and Tom McGhee to get out of the inning.
Stewart (L) and Smith
Anderson, Bauer (W) (7) and Sanchez
(July 22) Yankton Terrys carried a four-run 8th inning to a 9-6 win over Valentine. Newcomer Ed Hobaugh pitched into the 9th inning to register the win. Joe Buckstead homered for the Terrys and Bill White had a four-bagger for the Hearts.
Hobaugh (W), Saban (9) and Buckstead
Suba (L) and Baer
(July 22) Rightfielder Tommy Cupps made a good, first impression in Pierre. In his first game with the Cowboys, Cupps belted a 7th inning homer to give Pierre a 6-5 win over Huron. Leftfielder Dan McGinnis drove in three runs for the Cowboys with a pair of towering homers. Huron had two circuit blows, by John Thiel in the 2nd and a two-run shot by Frank Noble in the 5th.
Brittin (L), Speck (8) and Kohorst
Manier (W) and Welch
(July 23)
Valentine 17 10
Yankton 15 10
Watertown 16 11
Huron 14 12
Pierre 12 14
Mitchell 12 15
Chamberlain 10 15
Winner 8 17
(July 24)
(July 26) The Valentine Hearts delighted a home crowd hammering out 20 hits and taking advantage of nine errors to trounce the Basin League All-Stars 17-8 Tuesday night. The Hearts' centrefielder Bill White led the way driving in four runs and scoring three with a homer and two doubles. Orville Rickey and Allen Kiddy each knocked in three with two doubles and a single. Al Leap and Jerry Ledwidge homered for the All-Stars. Marv Schwein went the route for the Hearts.
Evans, Coombs (L) (4), Swota (7), Gumpert (8), Langhammer (9) and Welch, Schiltz
Schwein (W) and Baer
Valentine 19 10
Yankton 17 10 1.0
Huron 16 13 3.0
Watertown 16 11 3.0
Pierre 13 15 5.5
Mitchell 12 17 7.0
Chamberlain 11 16 7.0
Winner 9 19 9.5
(July 27) Pierre got an unearned run in the 7th inning to shade Watertown 3-2. The Cowboys combined Lee Utt's single, Dan McGinnis' double with an error to plate the winning run. Dave Manier held the Lake Sox to nine hits for the win. Norm Stewart was the hard-luck loser, allowing just six hits.
Manier (W) and xxx
Norm Stewart (L) and xxx
(July 27) Huron Elks downed Chamberlain 5-3. Hal Lawler was the winning pitcher, with relief help from Andy Swota. Elks plated the winner in the 6th inning as Vern McKee drove in Dick Anderson. Arnie Sanchez had three hits for the losers.
Shrake (L), Langhammer and Sanchez
Lawler (W), Swota (9) and Kohorst, Watson
(July 27) Yankton righthander Ed Hobaugh blanked Winner on six hits as the Terrys won their 4th straight, 4-0. It was Hobaugh's third consecutive win, without a loss. He fanned eight without issuing a walk. The Michigan State star helped at the plate with two hits, including a two-run double in the 6th innings. Catcher Joe Buckstead clouted a two-run homer in the 2nd. Al Taylor gave up just six hits in taking the defeat.
Taylor (L) and Riles
Hobaugh (W) and Buckstead
(July 27) Glen Van Proyen fired an eight-hit shutout to best Bob Ridenour in a pitcher's duel as Mitchell edged Valentine 1-0. Mike Lucas homered in the 5th inning for the only run. Van Proyen has appeared in four of the Kernels last five games pitching 26 innings.
Ridenour (L) and Baer
VanProyen (W) and Wellman
Yankton 18 10
Valentine 19 11
Huron 17 13 2.0
Watertown 16 14 3.0
Pierre 14 15 4.5
Mitchell 13 17 6.0
Chamberlain 11 17 7.0
Winner 9 20 9.5
(July 28)
(July 29) Johnny Thiel bashed two homers and Dick Ackerman added one to pace Hurton to a 7-5 Basin League win over Winner. Ray Burtner clubbed two homers for the Pheasants. Andy Swota pitched into the 9th inning to gain the win.
Swota (W), Brittin (9) and Watson
Swigert (L), Black (9) and Burtner
(July 29) Al Leap's three-run homer in the first frame stood up as Mitchell defeated Pierre Cowboys 3-1. Denny Blind checked the Cowboys on five hits for the win.
Blind (W) and Wellman
Novicki (L), Evans (8) and Welch
(July 29) Bob Burr had four hits to lead Valentine to a 5-2 win over Watertown. Tony Risinger went the distance, allowing eight hits, for the mound decision. Fred Parker was the loser. Tom McGhee of the Lake Sox had the only homer.
Parker (L) and Lindstrom
Risinger (W) and Baer
(July 29) Chamberlain Chiefs scored a 6-5 win over Yankton in a controversial game at Chamberlain. Down 5-4, the Chiefs plated a pair in the 6th for the victory. Carlson held the Terrys to nine hits to take the decision. Yankton manger Marv Olson and outfielder Paul Tretiak were ejected in the 9th by umpire Bill Cuptill. The umpire called time just before the Terrys Al Radsavage belted a homer which would have been the tying run.
Saban, Puga (3) (L) and Buckstead
Carlson (W) and Sanchez
Valentine 20 12
Yankton 18 11 0.5
Huron 19 13 1.0
Watertown 16 16 4.0
Mitchell 15 17 5.0
Pierre 14 16 5.0
Chamberlain 12 18 7.0
Winner 10 21 9.5
(July 30)
(July 31) Connie Juelke had three hits and drove in a pair to lead Huron Elks to a 5-1 victory over Mitchell. The game drew 2,700 fans, the largest crowd of the season. Kernels Guy Wellman drove in Johnny Brice with a run in the 9th to stop Don Tauscher's bid for a third straight shutout. Tauscher allowed just five hits before John Brittin came on in the 9th with the bases loaded to preserve the win.
Johannes (L) and Wellman
Tauscher (W), Brittin (9) and Kohorst
(July 31) Pierre spotted Valentine a 4-0 lead then roared back to clobber the Hearts 15-5. Lee Myers and Dirkes Rolston each had four hits to lead the Cowboys. Lee Utt belted a homer. Valentine grabbed a lead with three runs in the first and another in the second, but a five-run second inning gave Pierre the lead they never relinquished. Bill Evans settled down after the first two frames to go the distance with an eight-hitter.
French (L), Suba (2) and Baer
Evans (W) and Welch
(July 31) Yankton Terrys scored three runs in the top of the 9th inning to down Watertown 5-2. It was Watertown's 7th straight defeat. Paul Tretiak's bases-loaded single drove in two runs in the 9th inning outburst and Merlyn Jorgensen's single scored the other. Bruce Gordon homered for the Lake Sox. Harry Wise held the Lake Sox to seven hits in registering the win.
Wise (W) and Buckstead
Coombs (L) and Smith
(July 31) A seven-run 5th inning carried Winner Pheasants to an 8-5 victory over Chamberlain. Al Taylor, with 9th inning relief help from Hal Swigart, picked up the win. Joe Shrake was the loser.
Taylor (W), Swigert (9) and Burtner
Shrake (L), Bauer (5), Langhammer (7) and Sanchez
Yankton 19 11
Huron 20 13 0.5
Valentine 20 13 0.5
Watertown 16 17 4.5
Pierre 15 16 4.5
Mitchell 15 18 5.5
Chamberlain 12 19 7.0
Winner 11 21 9.0
(August 2) Jim Hartsfield held the league-leading Yankton to five hits as Pierre upset the Terrys 14-4. The righthander fanned 10 and walked six in gaining the win. The Cowboys hammered out 18 hits, including two homers by Lee Utt. For Pierre, Dirkes Rolston had four hits and Tommy Cupps had three singles.
Puga (L), Jorgensen (5) and Buckstead
Hartsfield (W) and Welch
(August 2) Yankton formally protested their 6-5 loss to Chamberlain Friday night. In the 9th inning, the Terrys Al Radsavage belted a homer but was not allowed as the umpire said time had been called before the pitch was delivered. Yankton manager Marv Olson and Paul Tretiak were ejected from the game for protesting the call.
(August 2) Norm Stewart hurled a four-hitter to blank Chamberlain 6-0 to end Watertown's seven game losing streak. Tom McGhee batted in three runs with a homer and single. Jerry Ledwidge had three of the four singles off Stewart.
Don Anderson (L), Carlson (8) and Sanchez
Stewart (W) and Smith
Yankton 20 12
Huron 21 13
Valentine 20 14 1.0
Watertown 17 17 4.0
Pierre 16 17 4.5
Mitchell 15 19 6.0
Chamberlain 12 20 8.0
Winner 12 21 8.5
(August 3) Watertown downed Mitchell 6-4, riding a three-run 8th inning for the win. Ziggy Neipokoj was the winner in relief. Randy Gumpert took the loss.
Bryja, Neipokoj (7), Stewart (8) and Smith
Gumpert (L), Blind, VanProyen and Wellman
(August 3) Jack Baer's sacrifice fly in the top of the 9th inning scored Orville Rickey to hand Valentine Hearts a 2-1 win over Chamberlain Chiefs. Marv Schwein fired a four-hitter for the win. He fanned six and walked three. Joe Langhammer allowed just four hits in taking the loss.
Schwein (W) and Baer
Langhammer (L) and Sanchez
(August 3) Huron Elks took over first place in the Basin League standings with a 7-4 win over Yankton, the club's 8th straight win. Elks rode the long ball to victory. Johnny Thiel had a three-run blast, Vern McKee a two-run homer and Elmer Kohorst a solo shot. Kohorst had three hits. Paul Tretiak had a three-run circuit blow for the Terrys. Andy Swota was the winner in relief.
McGonagle (L) and Buckstead
Lawler, Swota (W) (7) and Kohorst
(August 3) Winning pitcher Ernie Trujillo singled in John Watson with the deciding run in the bottom of the 10th inning to give Winner a 10-9 victory over Pierre. Trujillo survived 15 hits to gain the mound victory. Losing pitcher Dave Manier walked three straight batters in the 10th before Trujillo's base hit.
Novicki, Manier (L) and Welch
Trujillo (W) and Burtner
Huron 22 13
Yankton 20 13 1.0
Valentine 21 14 1.0
Watertown 18 17 4.0
Pierre 16 18 5.5
Mitchell 15 20 7.0
Winner 13 21 8.5
Chamberlain 12 21 9.0
(August 3) Chamberlain second sacker Tom McDevitt is the Basin League batting leader with a wide margin over the runner-up Bill White of Valentine. McDevitt, with a .453 mark, leads White by 70 points. Jack Shirley, also of the Hearts, is third at .375. Al Leap of Mitchell and Connie Juelke are tops in homers with eight. Harry Wise of Yankton is the leading pitcher with an 8-1 mark. The statistics include games through July 29th with a few missing games.
AB H AVE
Tom McDevitt, Chamberlain 53 24 .453
Bill White, Valentine 107 41 .383
Jack Shirley, Valentine 56 21 .375
Shep Frazier, Yankton 77 28 .364
Wayne Tucker, Chamberlain 125 45 .360
Rolston, Pierre 123 43 .350
Bob Burr, Valentine 123 43 .350
Kermit Wahl, Watertown 92 32 .348
Jerry Ledwidge, Chamberlain 113 39 .345
Dick Anderson, Huron 96 33 .344
Frank Palamara, Chamberlain 108 37 .343
Paul Tretiak, Yankton 79 27 .342
Ed Schiltz, Mitchell 108 37 .343
Connie Juelke, Huron 124 42 .339
Home runs :
Al Leap, Mitchell & Connie Juelke, Huron 8
Bill White, Valentine 7
Runs batted in :
Orville Rickey, Valentine 33
Paul Donovan, Watertown 29
Jack Baer, Valentine 28
Bob Burr, Valentine 27
John Thiel, Huron 25
Kermit Wahl, Watertown 24
Pitching (5 or more decisions) :
Harry Wise, Yankton 8-1
Bob Ridenour, Valentine 6-1
Ray Coombs, Watertown 6-2
Jack Shirley, Valentine 6-2
Dave Manier, Pierre 5-2
Tony Risinger, Valentine 6-3
(August 4) First baseman Hank Ertman had a huge night with three home runs, a double, and seven runs batted in to power Huron Elks to a 12-7 win over Pierre. Pierre took the early lead on a two-run homer by Milt Welch in the opening frame. Huron scored a pair in the second on a sac fly and Elmer Kohorst's single. Pierre responded with three, including a Dan McGinnis homer, in their half of the second. A five-run 5th for the Elks put the game out of reach. Johnny Thiel had four hits, including a homer, and three runs batted in for the winners. Jack Brittin was the winner in relief.
Tauscher, Brittin (W) (2) and Kohorst
Evans (L) and Welch
(August 4) Yankton Terrys took an early five run lead and held on to dump Valentine 7-3. Jack Davis pounded a three-run homer in the first inning and Joe Buckstead had a two-run shot in the second to make it 5-0. Harry Wise went the distance for the win.
Wise (W) and Buckstead
Shirley (L) and Baer
(August 4) Winner Pheasants scored two in the 8th inning and another in the 9th to score a 7-4 win over Mitchell. Reliever Ernie Trujillo, who blanked the Kernels in the 8th and 9th, drove in the winning run as a pinch-hitter in the 8th. Hal Swigart picked up the win.
Taylor, Swigert (W) (7), Trujillo (8) and Burtner
Johannes (L) and Schiltz
Huron 23 13
Yankton 21 13 1.0
Valentine 21 15 2.0
Watertown 18 17 4.5
Pierre 16 19 6.5
Mitchell 15 21 8.0
Winner 14 21 8.5
Chamberlain 12 21 9.5
(August 5) Chamberlain Chiefs scored three runs in the first inning and that proved enough in a 3-2 victory over Huron. Tom McDevitt, the league's leading hitter, opened the frame with a double and came around to score on a single by Elliott. Wayne Tucker followed with a single and moved to second on a fielder's choice. Frank Palamara's single plated Elliott and Tucker. Vern McKee homered for the Elks in the 3rd inning and Dick Ackerman doubled to score Elmer Kohorst with Huron's second run. Joe Shrake went the distance for the win.
Speck (L), Swota (7) and Kohorst
Shrake (W) and Sanchez
(August 5) Tony Risinger fired an eight-hitter to lead Valentine to a 2-1 victory over Mitchell. Hearts scored in the first inning on Bill White's double. They moved up 2-0 in the 8th on hits by Orville Rickey and White and an outfield error. The Kernels only run came in the 9th on singles by Del Peterson, Don Waldron and Don Johnson.
VanProyen (L) and Wellman
Risinger (W) and Baer
(August 5) Righthander Ray Coombs scattered ten hits to help Watertown to an 8-3 win over Pierre. The Lake Sox had 11 hits and took advantage of six Cowboy errors and five bases on balls. Coombs fanned eight and allowed just one free pass. Sox shortstop Bill Horning had four hits, including a triple and two doubles. He drove in three.
Coombs (W) and Smith
Hartsfield (L) and Welch
(August 5) Winner Pheasants used a four-run 6th inning to down Yankton 5-3. Al Ware's two-run double was the key blow of the inning. Bob Black went the distance allowing eight hits. He had 11 strikeouts. Ed Hobaugh took the loss.
Hobaugh (L) and Buckstead
Black (W) and Burtner
(August 7) Harry Wise won his 11th of the season as Yankton whipped Chamberlain 15-2. He allowed seven hits, fanning seven with four bases on balls. Terrys punched out 16 hits with second baseman Shep Frazier leading the attack with a double and three singles. Shortstop Bernie Schreiber and centrefielder Jack Davis each had three.
Langhammer (L), Ledwidge (6), Palamara (6) and Sanchez
Wise (W) and Buckstead, Elliott
(August 7) Mitchell Kernels got a pair of homers by Don Johnson and single shots by Al Leap and Del Peterson to beat Pierre 10-8. Milt Welch had a three-run homer for the Cowboys. Randy Gumpert picked up the mound victory in a relief role.
Manier (L), Novicki (5) and Welch
Blind, Gumpert (W) (3) and Schiltz
(August 7) Connie Juelke belted a homer in the bottom of the 9th to tie and Frank Noble drove in Elmer Kohorst in the 10th to give Huron a thrilling 4-3 victory over Valentine. Kohorst played a major role in stopping a 9th inning rally by the Hearts. He picked off Bill Pavlick at first base and after Del Holt had walked, threw him out trying to steal second. Jack Brittin was the winner in relief of starter Don Tauscher.
Ridenour (L) and Baer
Tauscher, Brittin (W) (9) and Kohorst
(August 7) Winner's Ernie Trujillo fired a three-hitter to blank Watertown 2-0. It was the 6th straight win for the Pheasants. Winner got a run in the 4th inning on singles by Dan Meyers and Chuck Ellis and an error. They added a run in the 6th on singles by Ellis, Al Ware and Larry Watson. Norm Stewart took the loss.
Trujillo (W) and Burtner
Stewart (L), Carlson (9) and Smith
Huron 24 14
Yankton 22 15 1.5
Valentine 22 16 2.0
Watertown 19 18 4.5
Winner 16 21 7.5
Pierre 16 21 7.5
Mitchell 16 22 8.0
Chamberlain 14 22 9.0
(August 9) Four home runs powered Pierre to a 7-2 win over Yankton. Dirkes Rolston, Tommy Cupps, Lee Utt and Craig Sorenson had the long balls for the Cowboys. Utt also had a triple. Shep Frazier clouted a pair for the Terrys for two of the three hits off winning pitcher Bill Evans. Evans struck out ten and walked three. Pierre's Jack Davis was injured in the 8th inning when he crashed into the centrefield wall in chasing down a long fly by Sorenson. He's believed to have suffered facial injuries.
McGonagle (L) andf Buckstead
Evans (W) and Welch
Huron 25 14
Yankton 22 16 2.5
Valentine 22 17 3.0
Watertown 20 18 4.5
Pierre 17 21 7.5
Winner 16 22 8.5
Mitchell 16 23 9.0
Chamberlain 15 22 9.0
(August 10) In a game which featured 12 home runs, Huron's Vern McKee had a night for the scrapbook as the Elks pummeled Mitchell Kernels 22-7. In six trips to the plate, McKee crushed three home runs and two doubles to drive in eight runs. Hank Ertman added two homers and five runs batted in and Elmer Kohorst had four hits, including a pair of home runs, to knock in four. Dick Ackerman had a four-bagger and two singles and Frank Noble added a homer. Don Waldron, Ed Schlitz and Johnny Brice powered home runs for Mitchell.
Speck, Lawler (W) (W), Brittin (7) and Kohorst
VanProyen (L) Gumpert (6), Leap (7) and Wellman
(August 10) Gene Smith's two-run homer in the 6th inning proved to be the difference as Watertown edged Yankton 6-5. Don Carlson, making his first start for the Lake Sox, pitched into the 9th inning for the win and helped at the plate with a homer in the 3rd. Paul Donovan had three of the Sox five doubles. Shep Frazier had three hits for the Terrys.
Carlston (W), Bryja (9) and Smith
Hobaugh (L) and Buckstead
(August 10) Valentine Hearts climbed into second place in the Basin League standings with a 4-3, 12 inning triumph over Pierre. Bill White knocked in the deciding run after singles by Joe Snyder and Orville Rickey. Bud Younger, the Cowboys playing manager, had knotted the count in the 9th inning driving in two runs. Lee Utt had homered in the 2nd inning for Pierre. Jack Shirley went the route for the Hearts, allowing nine hits.
Hartsfield, Novicki (L) (9) and Welch
Shirley (W) and Baer
(August 10) Chamberlain Chiefs escaped the Basin League cellar with an 11-3 win over Winner. The Chiefs' victory, combined with the Kernels' loss to Huron, leaves the club in 6th place ahead of both Winner and Mitchell. Joe Shrake, with an eight-hitter, was the winning pitcher. John Dean of the Chiefs had the only homer.
Shrake (W) and Sanchez
Taylor (L), Ware and Burtner
Huron 26 14
Valentine 23 17 3.0
Yankton 22 17 3.5
Watertown 21 18 4.5
Pierre 17 22 8.5
Chamberlain 16 22 9.0
Winner 16 23 9.5
Mitchell 16 24 10.0
(August 11) Bruce Gordon, Tom McGhee and Hal Haddican each punched out three hits as Watertown Lake Sox beat Mitchell 7-3. Before the largest crowd of the season at Watertown, about 1,800, the Sox took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, fell behind 3-2, then regained the lead with a three-run 6th frame. Gordon had a homer and double among his safeties. Norm Stewart was the winner, with an eight-hitter. He fanned ten.
VanProyen (L), Blind (8) and Schiltz
Stewart (W) and Smith
(August 11) Winner Pheasants scored seven runs in the first three innings and held on to down Pierre 13-11. Winner combined 15 hits, ten walks and 4 Pierre errors to take the win. Larry Watson drove in five runs with a triple and single. Al Ware had four hits. For the Cowboys, first baseman Lee Utt had four hits and Tommy Cupps and Eddie Taylor three apiece.
Black (W), Ware (8) and Burtner
Manier (L), Younger (5), McGinnis (8) and Welch
(August 11) A five-run 7th inning carried Chamberlain Chiefs to an 8-5 win over Valentine in a game called in the 9th by rain. The Chiefs combined six hits and a walk for their five-run outburst. Arnie Sanchez capped the scoring with a homer. Don Anderson went the route for the win, giving up eight hits and six walks.
Anderson (W) and Sanchez
Risinger (L), Ridenour (7) and Baer
(August 11) Paul Tretiak's second inning homer and four-hit, shutout pitching by Harry Wise carried Yankton to a 1-0 win over Huron Elks before 1,500 fans at Yankton. The game feature 19 strikeouts, nine by Wise, 10 by Don Tauscher of Huron. It was the 12th win of the season for Wise, against just two losses.
Tauscher (L) Kohorst
Wise (W) and Buckstead
Huron 26 15
Yankton 23 17 2.5
Valentine 23 18 3.0
Watertown 22 18 3.5
Chamberlain 17 22 8.0
Pierre 17 23 8.5
Winner 17 23 8.5
Mitchell 16 25 10.0
(August 12) Yankton poked out four homers against a make-shift Pierre lineup to notch a 10-3 victory at Yankton. Al Radsavage belted a pair, one a two-run shot and Joe Buckstead and Shep Frazier had the others. Tommy Cupps had a circuit blow for the Cowboys. Bob Saban scattered seven hits to claim the mound victory.
McGinnis (L) and Cupps
Saban (W) and Buckstead
(August 12) Watertown Lake Sox scored six times in the 6th inning and four more in the 9th to take a 10-4 decision from Chamberlain Chiefs in a game played at Redfield. Nine of the Sox runs were unearned as the Chiefs made seven errors. There were 20 hits in the game, but just one for extra bases a double by Don Carlston of the Lake Sox. Ray Coombs, the winning pitcher, started the 6th inning rally with a single.
Coombs (W), Neipokopj (9) and Smith
Langhammer (L), Anderson (6), Dean (7), Palamara (9) and Sanchez, Elliott (8)
Huron 26 15
Yankton 24 17 2.0
Valentine 23 18 3.0
Watertown 23 18 3.0
Chamberlain 17 23 8.5
Winner 17 23 8.5
Pierre 17 24 9.0
Mitchell 16 25 10.0
(August 13) Winner Pheasants erupted for eight runs in the 5th inning to defeat Chamberlain 10-8. Hal Swigart was the winning pitcher over Joe Shrake.
Swigart (W), Ware and Burtner
Shrake (L), Anderson and Sanchez
(August 14) Pierre Cowboys wrapped up the regular season with a 6-4 win over Chamberlain. Dave Manier fired a four-hitter for the win. Dan McGinnis homered for the winners with Rocky Sgro and Arnie Sanchez hitting circuit blows for the Chiefs.
Manier (W) and Cupps
Sgro (L) and Sanchez
(August 14) Winner playing manager Al Ware clouted a pair of homers and drove in six runs as the Pheasants whipped Valentine 7-1 to take over 5th place in the standings and drop the Hearts into a tie for 3rd place with Watertown. A coin flip decided playoff berths with Valentine named as Huron's opponent and Watertown to take on Yankton. Winner got a three-run homer from Ware in the 3rd inning and a two-run shot from Ware in the 4th to salt away the ball game. Ernie Trujillo tossed a five-hitter for his 5th win without a loss.
Schwein (L), Risinger and Baer
Trujillo (W) and Burnter
(August 14) Yankton Terrys clinched second place in the Basin League standings downing Mitchell 4-2. Ed Hobaugh fired a seven-hitter for the win. Terrys plated two unearned runs in the 9th for the victory. Cliff Miller and Jack Davis punched out singles with one out in the 9th. Shep Frazier was safe on a double-play error as Miller scored. Bill Hardy's single scored the insurance run.
Hobaugh (W) and Buckstead
Johannes (L), VanProyen and Schiltz
(August 14) Dick Anderson had four hits and Connie Juelke and Elmer Kohorst each had three for Huron Elks in an 11-4 victory over Watertown to close out the regular season before a crowd of 2,700. Hal Lawler, who went five innings, picked up the win. Bill Horning drove in three runs for the Lake Sox with a homer and single.
Bryja (L), Carlson (2), Neipokoj (8) and Smith
Lawler (W), Swota (6), Speck (9) and Kohorst
Huron 27 15
Yankton 25 17 2.0
Valentine 23 19 4.0
Watertown 23 19 4.0
Winner 19 23 8.0
Pierre 18 24 10.0
Chamberlain 17 25 10.0
Mitchell 16 26 11.0
PLAYOFFS :
(August 17) Jack Shirley tossed a six-hitter and Orville Rickey belted a pair of homers as Valentine trounced Huron 10-1 in the opening game of their semi-final series. Shirley was a force at the plate as well with a triple and single and three runs batted in. He fanned eight and walked just one.
Tauscher (L), Speck (3) and Kohorst
Shirley (W) and Baer
(August 17) Shep Frazier doubled in Harry Wise and Merlyn Jorgensen in the 8th inning to give Yankton a 3-2 victory over Watertown in the opening game of their semi-final series. Kermit Wahl had given the Lake Sox a 2-1 lead with a two-run homer in the 7th. Paul Tretiak knocked in the Terrys first run in the 3rd inning. Wise held the Sox to four hits in gaining the win, his 13th this season. Norm Stewart allowed just six hits in taking the loss.
Wise (W) and Buckstead
Stewart (L) and Smith
(August 18) Walt Bryja and Don Carlson combined on a five-hitter as Watertown stayed alive in the playoffs with a 6-2 victory over Yankton. Lake Sox took the lead with a pair in the 3rd inning. Centre fielder Tom McGhee walked and scored on Gene Smith's double to left centre. Bill Horning's sac fly scored Smith from third. Watertown added two more in the 5th inning on three hits and an error and a pair in the 9th to take a 6-0 lead before the Terrys responded with two in the bottom of the 9th.
Bryja (W), Carlson (8) and Smith
Hobaugh (L), Puga (9) and Buckstead
(August 18) Bob Ridenour shutout Huron on five hits to send Valentine into the Basin League final series. Hearts downed the Elks 1-0 to take the semi-final in two straight games. Joe Snyder reached on a bunt single in the 6th inning, advanced to second on a sacrifice and scored the game's only run on Allen Kiddy's single. Huron threatened in the 4th, loaded the bases with two out on Connie Juelke's double, an error and walk to Hank Ertman. However, Ridenour fanned Vern McKee to end the inning.
Ridenour (W) and Baer
Swota (L) and Kohorst
(August 19) Yankton Terrys built up a 9-0 lead then survived two, three-run homers by Bill Horning to capture the semi-final series with a 9-6 victory. Right-hander Bob Saban had a two-hitter going until the 8th inning. Five errors hurt the Lake Sox chances. Horning connected for three-run blasts in the 8th and 9th for six runs batted in.
Coombs (L), Carlson (8) and Smith
Saban (W), Puga (9) and Buckstead
FINALS :
(August 20?)
(August 21?) Yankton edged Valentine Hearts 3-2 behind the pitching of ace right-hander Harry Wise to capture the 1955 Basin League title. It was the 14th victory of the season for Wise against just two losses.