Prep Baseball Report

2026 South Dakota Class A State Tournament Roundup


Dayne McNaughton
Upper Midwest, Prep Baseball

 
Sioux Falls, SD - The 2026 South Dakota High School baseball tournament had it all. Dominant pitching, clutch hitting, and sharp situational baseball, with crowds showing up for their schools and communities to make it a state tournament worth remembering. With all of the excitement, multiple players shined bright, here are those players that caught our eye last Friday at the State Quarterfinals.

UPCOMING DAKOTAS EVENTS

EVENT DATE LOCATION
Dakota Top Prospect Games (Invite-Only) 6/2/2026 Sioux Falls, SD
Summer ID-Fargo 6/8/2026 West Fargo, ND
Summer ID-Fargo - Session II 8/13/2026 West Fargo, ND
Summer ID-Bismarck 8/14/2026 Bismarck, ND
Summer ID-Rapid City 8/15/2026 Rapid City, SD
Summer ID-Sioux Falls 8/16/2026 Sioux Falls, SD

Brody Jacobson SS / RHP / Jefferson, SD / 2026

Jacobson performed like a bona fide leader for the Cavaliers. Brody got the action started with a double off the wall in right field to give his team an early 1-0 lead. The Northern State commit added two more RBIs on an RBI single in the 6th, giving Jefferson what they needed to pull away with a win. 

Everett Salonen RHP / Jefferson, SD / 2027

Jefferson's junior came to play in his start on Friday. In rainy, feels-like 45-degree May weather, Salonen maintained an 86-88 mph fastball the whole outing, flashing an improved 77-79 mph slider with depth. Salonen went 5 innings, scattering 2 hits, striking out 6, surrendering 0 earned runs.

Noah Kuenzi 3B / Jefferson, SD / 2027

Kuenzi shined on both sides of the ball on Friday. The junior manned the hot corner well, making an outstanding diving grab on a ball in the 5-6 hole to save a run for his pitcher. Kuenzi's bat showed easy pop, as he collected two hits on the day.

Brady Waddell SS / RHP / Stevens, SD / 2027

Brady has taken big strides on the mound, especially from an in-game look. Waddell sat 88-89 T90 in 7 innings pitched, pounding a 77-79 mph slider, giving another look with a 79-80 mph changeup. Waddell finished with a final line of 7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 11 Ks. Another top uncommitted arm in the Dakotas.

Sam Gokie / Yankton, SD / 2026

As we previouslly highlighted, Sam Gokie doesn't give anything free on the mound. That trend continued in his start against Stevens in the semifinals. Gokie ran his fastball up to 85, setteling into the low 80s, throwing his breaking ball for strikes and whiffs. The Mount Marty commit would walk off the game for the Bucks with a sac fly to deep left center.

Grady Wolbrink RHP / Harrisburg, SD / 2027

Grady got the ball for the Tigers in the quarterfinal matchup and showed positive stuff on the hill. The 6-3, 225 lb righty got up to 85 in his first inning of work, with a tight breaking ball. Wolbrink would go 6 innings, allowing 2 earned runs, working around baserunners the whole outing.

Hunter Halajian LHP / Watertown, SD / 2026

Halajian was unfazed facing the number 1 seed in the tournament. The southpaw went 6 and 2/3 innings, striking out 8, giving up 3 runs to a tough Harrisburg lineup. The lefty tossed majority changeup and sliders sitting in the mid-70s, sparingly throwing a fastball at 82-84. A big time competitor for the Arrows.

Treydon Hofer C / 3B / Harrisburg, SD / 2027

Hofer was a leader behind the plate for the Tigers. The junior backstop smoked 2 potential base stealers to help Wolbrink. Hofer powered the Tigers offense, ripping an opposite field double driving in 2 runs. A catcher for coaches to know into the summer circuit.

Bennett Duncan RHP / 3B / O'Gorman High School, SD / 2026

Duncan was shaky to start his outing, but dialed it in to give the Knights length. The Augustana commit sat 84-86 T87, working with two distinct breaking balls. Has the potential to be an impact arm at the next level.

Bryton Stroh / Brandon Valley / 2026

The Lynx two way talent collected a big infield RBI single late in the game, as well as closed the final 3 outs of the ballgame. A scrappy gamer, now a two time state champion. 

HEAT SHEET - STATE QUARTERFINALS

Name SCHOOL FB VELO
Jack Blomgren Brandon Valley 91
Brady Waddell Rapid City Stevens 90
Bennett Duncan Bishop O'Gorman 87
Bryton Stroh Brandon Valley 85
Grady Wolbrink Harrisburg 85
Sam Gokie Yankton 85
Hunter Halajian Watertown 84

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