PIERRE - A defensive meltdown was the catalyst for an offensive eruption by Spearfish in a 16-7 win over Pierre Post 8 in the first game of a doubleheader Tuesday at Hyde Stadium in Pierre. The night of disappointment continued for Pierre through the second game as Spearfish prevailed 2-1.

"Consistency has been our problem all year," said Pierre head coach Bill Ellwanger. "After the first game (loss), the second game becomes that much more important. If we could have salvaged the second game that would have done something for us."

Down by a run in the bottom of the seventh of the second game, Post 8 mounted a serious threat to tie the game. Jayson Herra hit a two-out single. With Sam Koenecke at the plate, Herra moved to second on a wild pitch. Koenecke then lined a sharp single to right. But the ball was quickly relayed back to the infield and catcher Jess Cooper put the tag on Herra in front of the plate to end the game.

In the opener, Pierre made a season-high eight miscues, six coming in the first two innings as Spearfish jumped to a 7-1 lead. Post 8 fought back to close to within four at 9-5 after four innings but the Black Hills visitors put the game away with seven runs in both the sixth and seventh frame.

Spearfish's Ryan Royer finished with four hits, three runs scored and three RBI. Cooper and Jordan Johnson each scored four times.