Mitchell baseball coaches cleared of wrongdoing

April 18, 2024

RAPID CITY, S.D.–The Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office announced on Wednesday that the cases involving two members of the Mitchell Baseball Association Board had concluded.

Luke Norden, who was the team’s coach at the time of the incidents, was acquitted by Davison County Judge Donna Bucher of all four counts brought against him. Those charges included two counts of Failure to Report Abuse or Neglect of a Child.

Board member Jeremy Borgan was facing a misdemeanor charge of Failure to Report Abuse or Neglect of a Child. That charge was dismissed.

The association initially suspended the rest of the Mitchell baseball season based on allegations of possible player misconduct in the summer of 2023.

Shortly thereafter, six players were charged with rape. All six teens pleaded not guilty to all their charges.

The State’s Attorney’s Office did not provide any information on the case involving the six teens.