29-05-2025
Small ball key in Dell Rapids title win
BROOKINGS, S.D. (KELO) — Dell Rapids won the class 'B' state championship last year, with a win over Howard. The road to back-to-back titles had some challenges.
The defending champs saw their battle against Dakota Valley go into extra innings tied at four. In the eighth inning, with the bases loaded, Cooper Frost laid down a bunt allowing Tad Tjaden to score with the championship walk-off run.
'It was awesome, it's great because we spent so much time bunting, we stressed the importance of it,' Dell Rapids head coach Danny Miller said. 'Base running, that double steal at the end. I went and talked to Cooper when he was up at the plate, I said, 'you ready to bunt?' And he said, 'first base. Yes.' And he put it exactly where he said he was going to put it.'
'It's super rare. And I feel like it's the perfect way for us to win it just because, throughout the season, Danny has these days that we just bunt all day long,' Dell Rapids pitcher/shortstop Drake Eastman said. 'So I think it fits us very well. So that's the way we win it.'
Drake Eastman had six stolen bases, three RBIs, and struck out five players in the state tournament, helping him to be named the Most Valuable Player.
'Drake's one of the hardest working players we have. He's the kind of guy that when I flip on the lights in the stadium to tarp, he's down there hitting in the cage in the dark. Drake put together a great tournament. He worked so hard, and I feel so happy for him,' coach Miller said.
The win marks another trophy in the trophy case for Dell Rapids, but it's the players behind the victory that makes this year's team standout.
'Every group's unique, and you grow close to those kids through the year and, it's kind of emotional at the end, but it's, it's so special. It makes it worth it,' coach said.
Dell Rapids has won four titles in their last five seasons and five overall.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
