VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Devils Lake scored an unearned run in the top of the ninth inning for a 3-2 win over Valley City in a key Eastern Dakota Conference matchup for both teams.

The Firebirds sent the game to extra innings with two runs in the top of the seventh. Joey Hornstein scored on a passed ball and Aaron Johnson came in on a suicide squeeze. Then in the ninth. Johnson reached when Easton Hesch miss played a grounder, then with two out Chris Shepherd singled to left to bring in Johnson.

The Hi-Liners scored first in the fourth inning when Riley Gerhardt led off with a double and courtesy runner Tucker Brown came around to score on a throwing error by Firebirds third baseman Parker Vilandre. Braxton Jorissen scored Hesch with a single and the Hi-Liners lead 2-0 after four innings.  But Devils Lake starter Jacob Greene held Valley City to just two hits the rest of the game.

Briar Harvey took the loss in relief. He allowed four hits and one unearned run in two innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out one. Corey Nelson started and went seven strong innings. He allowed three hits and two earned runs with a walk and three strikeouts.

Easton Hesch and Alex Thornton had two hits each for the Hi-Liners.

Valley City falls to 2-7 in the EDC and 3-13 overall. They need a win over Fargo Shanley Friday night to earn a spot in the EDC post season tournament. Devils Lake, who came into the game in a three-way tie for third, improves to 13-7 overall and 7-3 in the conference.

The Valley City/fargo Shanley game was originally to be played on Saturday. Now it will be one game at 5:30 in Friday at Fargo Davies field because of flooding to Jack Williams Stadium. You can hear that game on AM 1490 /96.3 FM KOVC and newsdakota.com beginning with the pregame at 5:20 and the first pitch at 5:30.