SIOUX FALLS – The Huron Post 7 team dropped its first two games of the weekend Dakota Classic tournament in Sioux Falls, but picked up a pair of wins on Saturday and Sunday to finish out the weekend.

With 35 teams scheduled to participate, Huron hoped to emerge from pool play to the championship bracket, but fell short, despite a strong showing overall.

The weekend opened with a pair of losses Friday to Yankton Post 12 and to the Bennington (NE) Post 266 teams.

Huron scored first against Yankton, but Post 12 was able to put up two runs in the bottom of the first inning and then stifle the Tigers’ bats the rest of the way for a 5-1 victory.

Layne Wenzel opened the game on the mound for Post 7, going five innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks, striking out six. Tanner Gilbert pitched the final inning, allowing a run on two hits while striking out one.

Gilbert and Trace Wenz led the Huron attack with a pair of singles apiece. Ethan Busch smashed a triple.

Bennington’s Houston Hill dominated the Post 7 lineup on the mound in the second game Friday, and Post 266 used an 11-run fifth inning to earn a 15-0 victory.

Logan Leyendecker opened the game on the mound for the Tigers, going four innings before he couldn’t get an out in the fifth inning before allowing eight runs on six hits and five walks with a strikeout. Kolby Hofer came in to get through the inning, but was tagged with seven runs (only two earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out one batter.

The Huron offense managed just one hit from Bubba Peterson, who also drew a walk in the game.

Saturday saw Post 7 jump out early over Aberdeen’s Smittys club with a four-run first inning en route to a 7-4 victory.

Mason Davis went the distance for Huron, tossing seven innings, allowing four unearned runs on five hits and a walk while striking out six.

The Huron offense turned six hits and five walks into a strong offensive showing. Trace Wenz was on base three times with a single and two walks. Tanner Gilbert and Logan Leyendecker each had a double. Ethan Busch stole two bases.

Huron finished the tourney with a victory over the Lee’s Summit (MO) Post 189 Outlaws team, 9-1.

Jack Pedersen was strong on the hill for Huron, going five innings, allowing one unearned run on two hits and a walk while striking out six Outlaw batters.

Ethan Busch led the Huron offense, with a pair of hits, including one of five Huron doubles in the game. Busch also swiped a bag on the basepaths and was hit by pitch.

Mason Davis, Logan Leyendecker, Layne Wenzel, and Tommie Martin each added a double.

Leyendecker, Wenzel, and Trace Wenz each tallied a stolen base.

The Tigers take a 5-12 record into tonight’s doubleheader against Groton at Memorial Field beginning at 5 p.m.