(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, would like to send their support and best wishes to the Rapid City Post 22 Hardhats as they play in their most important game of the season today in the Central Plains Regional Tournament.
On Sunday, July 31st, the Post 22 Hardhats defeated Renner Post 307 to win their fourth consecutive and 41st overall South Dakota American Legion Baseball State Title. The title victory gained the team passage into the Central Plains Regional Tournament, and the team has started off with wins in their first two games: a 10-0 run-rule win over Forest Lake, Minnesota, and a 7-1 win against the host, the Bismarck Governors, last night. The wins have now set up the most important matchup of the season against the Hardhats arch rival from regional play, the Creighton Prep Junior Jays. The winner of today’s matchup automatically earns a spot in the Central Plains Regional Title Game on Championship Sunday, which puts you in the driver’s seat to advance to the American Legion World Series in Shelby, North Carolina.
“I can’t stress enough how important this game is. It may as well carry the weight of a World Series matchup,” said Mark Binetti, the Director of Media Relations and Voice of the Rush, who also serves as the Post 22 play-by-play broadcaster. “When you hear Creighton Prep in the same sentence as the Hardhats, that’s all the hype you need. Whoever wins this game guarantees their squad a spot in the Central Plains Regional Championship Game, which therefore puts you one step closer to advancing to the American Legion World Series. I urge all of Rush Nation to support the team as much as they can, and to tune into this showdown.
“The support the team has already received is remarkable. Last night’s video stream broadcast garnered over 1,100 unique IP addresses, and Teddy and I want to see that number double for this game today,” Binetti added. “It’s going to be epic and I can hardly wait for first pitch.”
Game time for the regional rivalry showdown is at 3 p.m. MST today. Last season, the Hardhats met the Junior Jays in the Central Plains Regional Tournament, and on the power of a complete-game, 2-hit performance from ace Cody Carlson, the Hardhats won 6-0. Earlier this season, the Junior Jays got the best of the Hardhats with a 3-2 walk-off win in Omaha. Mark Binetti is joined by his broadcast partner and Rush intern, Teddy Leipold, and will broadcast the game on ESPN Radio-Rapid City on 1340 AM/105.7 FM, as well as with a live video stream on www.post22live.com.
Other Rush News:
Our summer blowout sale rages on! Come to the Rush Team Store in our team offices in Rushmore Plaza Civic Center and take advantage of 50% off of EVERYTHING! If you shop online, use the promo code “BLOWOUT” to save big!
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