The Madison Junior Legion Post 25 baseball team is headed to the state tournament after overcoming an early deficit and erupting for 11 runs to defeat Dell Rapids 11-6 in the Region Championship game on Wednesday.

Dell Rapids wasted little time taking control, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning to put Madison in an early hole. But Post 25 answered right back. Payton Wold delivered an RBI single before Nolan Fischer added another run-scoring hit, cutting the deficit to 3-2 after one inning.

With a championship on the line, Madison turned to starting pitcher Henry Veenhof, who settled in after the first inning. Veenhof silenced the Dell Rapids bats over the next five innings, allowing Madison’s offense the opportunity to chip away. Dell Rapids managed just a handful of baserunners while Veenhof kept the game within reach.

Madison finally broke through in the fifth inning. Oakley Mees and Luke Johnson sparked the rally with base hits before Fischer’s fielders choice tied it, and an error by Dells gave Madison the lead.

Then came the inning that decided the regional title.

Madison exploded for six more runs in the sixth, turning a two-run lead into a commanding 11-3 advantage. The rally featured RBI singles from Payton Wold, Brigham Lindley and Brody Finck, along with patient at-bats that forced Dell Rapids pitchers into walks and costly mistakes.

Dell Rapids made one final push in the seventh, scoring three runs to cut into the lead, but Madison recorded the final outs to complete the comeback and celebrate a Region Championship.

The victory sends Madison Junior Legion Post 25 to the state tournament in Redfield. They will take on Canton to open the tournament, on August 7th.