A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION, Commending the Sioux Falls Little League baseball team for its historic season and participation in the Little League World Series.

WHEREAS, the Sioux Falls Little League baseball team, consisting of team members Maddux Munson, Noah Kuenzi, Brekken Biteler, Easton Riley, Opland Sonnichsen, Cason Mediger, Beau Koerner, Gunnar Alfson, Boston Bryant, Brayson Fox, Gavin Weir, Hayden Gorsett, Kye Carlson, and Alex McKinney, and coaching staff Mike Gorset, Devin Alfson, Jeff Riley, and Ryan Mediger, had an outstanding 2021 season; and

WHEREAS, the Sioux Falls Little League team won the East River District Tournament, beating both Huron and Brandon Valley to clinch the title. The team went on to win the South Dakota Little League State Tournament by beating Pierre and the Harney All-Stars, thereby advancing as the South Dakota representative to the Midwest Regional Tournament in Indianapolis, Indiana. In Indianapolis, the team bested Iowa, Missouri, and Nebraska to secure a spot in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, at the Little League World Series, the Sioux Falls Little League team beat Louisiana, Oregon, and California before falling to Ohio in the Tom Sever Bracket Championship game. The team then lost to Hawaii in the third/fourth place game, ultimately finishing fourth in the world. The team's fourth place finish was the best-ever finish by a Midwest team, and the win against Louisiana in the opening game was the first-ever win by a South Dakota team in the winner's bracket; and

WHEREAS, the Sioux Falls Little League team's remarkable journey through the Little League World Series sparked overwhelming pride and support for the team across the entire state of South Dakota, with communities uniting and cheering the team on from afar:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the Ninety-Seventh Legislature of the State of South Dakota, that the Sioux Falls Little League team be commended for its historic and outstanding 2021 baseball season, and for admirably representing the state of South Dakota on the national and world stage.