Six former and current South Dakota high School Baseball Players have been charged with raping two teens while taking part in a summer tournament, prosecutors said.

Mitchell Post 18 American Legion Varsity players Hudson Haley, 18; Landon Waddell, 19; Carter Miller, 18; Peyton Mandel, 17; Karter Sibson, 17; and Lincoln Bates, 18, all pleaded not guilty in court Tuesday to sexually assaulting two 16-year-olds in Rapid City in June, KELO reported.

While the defendants claimed the assaults occurred as part of a “team hazing ritual,” Pennington County State’s Attorney Lara Roetzel rejected the characterization — describing what happened to the victims as a clear case of “forcible assault.”

Haley and Waddell face the steepest charges. Haley was hit with two counts of rape, as well as aiding and abetting rape, while Waddell faces one count of rape and two counts of aiding and abetting rape.

The other four athletes each face one count of rape, and one of aiding and abetting rape.

While Waddell and Bates are the only two players who’ve graduated high school, all six defendants are being tried as adults.

Because of the extra felony charges, both Haley and Waddell face up to 150 years behind bars if convicted.

Roetzel warned there could be charges looming for any adult who knew about the sexual assaults and failed to immediately report them.

Officials had been investigating the disturbing case since June, when the Mitchell Baseball Association suspended the team after the allegations surfaced against the six players.

The victims are both minors and their identities have not been made public.

During court Tuesday, Mandel’s attorney revealed that one of the victims goes to school with the student when he asked the judge to clarify if Mandel could still attend classes.

The judge ruled Mandel can attend school but has to stay 30 feet away from a victim at all times. Mandel was also allowed to participate in activities and events as long as he keeps 100 feet away from the victim.

All six suspects were released on bond, and will be due back in court Feb. 6, 2024.