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CITY  (NewsDakota.com)–A fine Hi-Liner softball season hit a road bump against the best in the business yesterday.

Valley City was beaten 11-2 by the West Fargo Packers, the 14-time state champions and the annual favorites in the North Dakota world of fastpitch.  The Packers banged out 16 hits and took advantage of four Valley City errors for seven unearned runs.

“Not the final score I was expecting,” said Hi-Liner head coach Jason Lindgren.  “This game should have been a lot closer, but statistics are not what is put on scoreboard.  Runs are, earned and unearned alike.”

Keely Fogarty took the loss for Valley City, allowing 16 hits and four earned runs.  Danica Diegel, getting a start at first base, led the offense with two hits in three trips.  Brooke Breckheimer added a double, and Fogarty and Dierra Diegel each drove in runs.

Valley City is tied for fourth with Grand Forks Red River in the Eastern Dakota Conference (EDC) standings.  The Hi-Liners host Fargo North on Thursday.