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CITY  (NewsDakota.com)–The Valley City Babe Ruth baseball team fought off elimination twice Monday, defeating LaMoure 6-5 in eight innings, then bouncing second-seeded Steele 9-3 to advance to Tuesday’s title game.

Valley City scored a run in the top of the eighth inning to take a 6-5 edge in the contest with LaMoure.  LaMoure then loaded the bases with one out, but a strikeout and line out ended the threat and pushed Valley City to a win.

Jordan Magnuson allowed four runs, three earned, over five innings in the start, striking out six.  Nate Rodriguez earned the win in relief, working three innings, allowing a run on three hits, striking out four.

Rodriguez then earned the start in the matchup with Steele, working all four innings he was allowed.  He allowed two runs on three hits, striking out six in the win.  Jesse Johnson threw the final three innings for Valley City.

Magnuson continued a hot tournament at the plate, going 3-4 with a double, driving in four.  Ben Baasch and Collin Schroeder each had two hits in the game.

“Steele has had our number all year, beating us in four of the five games we’ve played this season.  Our guys really wanted this one and it showed that they didn’t want to stop playing this season,” said head coach Lance Lukes of the upset win.

Valley City faces Oakes, a team unbeaten in league play this year, for the District 6 title today at 3:00 p.m.  It will one win from Oakes or two from Valley City to claim a championship.