​July 8 — WINNER, S.D. After weathering a rough patch earlier this summer, the Winner/Colome Post 169 Class B American Legion baseball team is hitting its stride at just the right time. The squad has won six of its last eight games, lifting its season record to 8-6 as it enters the final stretch of the regular season. A blend of timely hitting and solid pitching has helped Winner/Colome gather momentum, and the recent surge includes two key revenge wins over teams that had previously handed them decisive defeats this season.
Most recently, on Tuesday, July 7, Winner/Colome rolled to an 11-1 triumph over Platte/Geddes, snapping the WhiteCaps’ three-game winning streak in emphatic fashion. The victory also served as payback for a 14-4 loss to Platte/Geddes on June 15, underscoring how much the team has progressed in a short time. From the outset, Winner/Colome controlled the game, out-hitting Platte/Geddes 12-2 in the five-inning contest. Carter Foster delivered one of his strongest outings of the season, pitching all five innings to earn the win. The right-hander allowed just one run on two hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
Offensively, Dylan Brandis powered the lineup by going 3-for-4 with four RBIs, while Quincy Phillips continued to thrive at the plate, finishing 3-for-3 with two RBIs and four runs scored. Carter McKenzie contributed two hits and crossed the plate three times as the winners consistently put pressure on the WhiteCaps’ defense.
That victory followed a strong performance in a 10-4 win over Gregory, a result that provided redemption after Gregory had defeated Winner/Colome 12-8 on June 17. The back-to-back payback wins against teams that had previously bested them demonstrate the resilience and improvement of Winner/Colome over the past several weeks.
While the recent success has been fueled by well-rounded play, several players have emerged as the backbone of the lineup. McKenzie has paced the offense with a team-best .459 batting average and an impressive .643 on-base percentage. He has added one home run, nine RBIs, 18 walks, and a team-leading 25 runs scored atop the order. Camdyn Anderson has been equally productive, batting .458 while leading the team with 23 RBIs. Anderson has scored 14 runs and has yet to strike out in 54 plate appearances. Phillips has helped round out what is becoming one of the area’s most productive trios, batting .448 with a .590 on-base percentage, contributing 10 RBIs and 14 runs scored.
On the mound, the pitching staff has been pivotal to the turnaround. Adryan Brandis owns a perfect 4-0 record with a 2.47 ERA, allowing just 13 hits over 22 2/3 innings and striking out 28 batters. Dylan Brandis has added another dominant arm, recording a team-high 32 strikeouts across 21 2/3 innings while walking just 15, the fewest among the team’s primary hurlers. Foster has also emerged as a reliable option on the mound, providing depth and consistency as the rotation continues to develop.
As Winner/Colome rides this wave of momentum into the closing portion of the season, the combination of strong at-bats, disciplined plate patience, and effective work from the pitching staff should keep them competitive against a challenging schedule. With several players contributing across all phases of the game, the Post 169 squad appears poised to finish the season strong and build confidence heading into postseason play.