YANKTON - Entering the championship game Monday in the South Dakota Class A state baseball tournament, the Rapid City Cobblers looked to be headed for a state championship.

They came into the tournament as the No. 1 seed and had just defeated the Yankton Bucks in a three-hit, 3-0 semifinal victory to begin the day. All they needed was one last win to earn the championship.

However, the Aberdeen Smitty's had other plans in mind and proved why they came into the tournament considered to be one of the best teams in the Class A field.

The Smitty's defeated the Cobblers 10-0 at Riverside Field by using their solid offensive production and scrappy defensive play.

"Coming into the game our focus was trying to be aggressive and trying to score runs. We wanted to swing at good pitches and hustle every chance we got," Aberdeen first-year head coach John Krogstrand said.

Aberdeen started off the game scoring four runs off Central pitcher Ryan Palmer in the top of the first.

Palmer, who walked Smitty leadoff man Bryce Anglin, quickly fell into a hole after catcher Jordan Kline hit a RBI double to left-center field.

This was the beginning of the end for Palmer who loaded the bases after Evan Nolte got a base hit to left field and then walked opposing pitcher Sam Heintzman.

Palmer looked as if he would get out trouble as he forced Smitty shortstop Brendon Hoellin to hit a ground ball that was made for a double play. Unfortunately for Palmer and the Cobblers, the ball found its way between the legs of senior second baseman Bobby Meyers and into center field, making the score 3-0 in favor of Aberdeen.

Third baseman senior Matt Kervin made it a 4-0 ballgame with an RBI single to left field.

After holding the Cobblers scoreless in the bottom of the first, the Smitty's went on the offensive attack yet again.

Anglin started things off with a single that just dropped in fair territory in shallow right field. Anglin scored on a sharply hit ball from Justin Kline that went underneath the glove of Cobbler first baseman Josh Holsworth.

Kline found his way home on a double to the left-center gap off the bat of Evan Nolte to make it 6-0. Nolte scored off and error by Cobblers left fielder Trevor Mills.

"We were really aggressive at the plate and were able to sit back and hit the ball hard," Krogstrand

Nolte led the Smitty's with three hits and three RBIs.

"Evan is the kind of guy that does everything that is asked of him and works hard every day. You can see some of that work come full circle in games like today," Krogstrand said.

After his offense gave him a commanding 7-0 lead after 1-1/2 innings, it was up to Smitty's pitcher Sam Heintzman to keep his team in control.

Heintzman delivered without any hesitation. He pitched a complete game, three-hit shutout that lasted five innings. Heimtzman never allowed the Cobblers with an opportunity to produce any scoring opportunities.

Heintzman was assisted by spectacular defense throughout the game. The Smitty outfield showed tremendous range and their infield made the routine plays.

"All year we worked hard defensively. It has been our game all year long, and every once in a while you run into a tough game like this," Central head coach Jerry Cranford said.