BRANDON - Chris Lindeman drove in a run and scored another and Brad Winkelman threw a complete game Tuesday as Rapid City East stopped Brandon Valley, 3-1, to gain the final spot in the state Class A baseball tournament.
Lindeman drove in a run in the first inning to stake East to a quick 1-0 lead in the wild-card playoff game. He then drew a walk in the fifth and scored on a Kyle Starkey double to make it a 3-1 ball game.
Trevor Mills, who had two hits, scored the game's other run when he crossed home plate on a passed ball in the second inning.
Winkelman held the Lynx to a single run from four hits.
The win advanced East to the State A tournament, which will be played Monday, May 28, at Aberdeen. The other tournament entrants are defending state champion Mitchell, Aberdeen and Yankton.
East opens the one-day tournament at 2 p.m., MT, against Aberdeen. Yankton and Mitchell face off in the other semifinal at 10 a.m.
The state championship game is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.
