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CITY, N.D (NewsDakota.com) With three conference games on the schedule, Saturday was a huge day for the Hi-Liners softball team who started the day in Valley City against Red River and ended it at West Fargo. In three Eastern Dakota Conference games, Valley City earned wins of 11-5 and 11-0 over Red River before falling to West Fargo in the night cap 5-1. In the one non-conference game of the day the Packers defeated the Hi-Liners 12-2.

Valley City 11 vs Grand Forks RR 5

In the first game of the day, Valley City got down early to the Rough Riders after giving up a run in the opening inning. But in common Hi-Liner fashion, they would not be held down. In the second frame, RBIs from Heather Knutson and Hannah Meyer would give lead back to Valley City. Red River would tie the game again in the third and fourth inning before the Hi-Liners pulled away with a five run sixth inning.

Danica Diegel earned the win in the game, pitching six innings walking just two batters and striking out four on 12 hits.

Valley City 11 vs Grand Forks RR 0

In the second conference game of the day, Valley City’s Jessica Denholm helped break up a scoreless tie in the fourth inning with a two RBI double. That hit helped lead the Hi-Liners to four runs in the frame.  With seven more added in the next two innings, the Hi-Liner would end the game early.

Denholm did not just swing the bat well, she also earned the win on the mound for Valley City, striking out six Rough Riders and allowing only two hits in the game.

Madison McDaniel had a strong day at the plate going 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI in the finale game with Red River.

Valley City 1 vs West Fargo 5

After completing the double header with Grand Forks Red River, the Hi-Liners packed up and traveled to West Fargo for a meeting with North Dakota’s top ranked team.  

The first run of the game was scored by West Fargo in the second inning when Paige Andel scored on a Hayle Sachow Johnson single. The Hi-Liners would tie the game just an inning later when Tarryn Justesen drove in Danica Diegel with a RBI double. Unfortunately it would be the only time that Valley City would work their way home, and in the bottom of the inning the Packers would take bake the lead when again Andel found her way home on a single by Johnson.

With strong defense, the Hi-Liners would keep West Fargo in reach the entire game, but would not be able to force the comeback.

The second game played between West and Valley was non-conference. The Packers earned a strong win by a score of 12 – 2.  

Valley City’s 3-1 conference record on Saturday advances them to second place in the EDC regular season standings. They wrap up the season on Tuesday afternoon when they host Fargo South.