PHOENIX - After dropping their first game of the tournament, the South Dakota Rushmores rallied to win five consecutive games and claim the Men's Senior/Adult Baseball League 35-and-over World Series title.

The tournament was held Oct. 29-Nov. 3.

The Rushmores beat Team USA 9-7 in the championship game.

Jeff Schaefer of Madison, Wis., picked up the pitching win in the championship game after throwing 7-2/3 innings. Dell Rapids' Robert Petersen got the final four outs for the save.

Redfield's Brent Osborne was named the tournament MVP. He had five hits in the championship game against the Orange County, Calif.-based team.

Chamberlain's Todd Priebe and Tabor's Gary Kortan added two hits apiece.

The South Dakota club got an automatic berth in the championship game after winning their division with a 4-1 record. Team USA won an 11-2 semifinal game over VCA Matanzas to get to the title tilt.

The Rushmores lost their first game 1-0 to VCA Matanzas. Jay Kusler of Aberdeen took the pitching loss after a complete-game effort. The lone run came on a balk.

Kortan helped the Rushmores to a 10-7 win against the Baton Rouge Bengals. He pitched a complete game.

The Rushmores then beat the Terre Haute Cubs 16-4. Rapid City's Scott Benson got the pitching win after throwing seven innings.

Bruce Mogen of Dell Rapids then had a complete-game pitching effort as South Dakota beat Team USA 8-4.

In their final pool play game, the Rushmores blitzed the Tucson A's, 17-7. Doug Sudbeck of Dimock was the victorious pitcher.

Other local players on the team include Wade Huntington of Sturgis and Daryl Deneke of Rapid City.