GRAND FORKS, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Valley City Hi-Liners baseball team needed a win on Saturday to advance to the state tournament next weekend in Jamestown. Valley City, coming off of a loss on Friday to Wahpeton had their offense going right away, however the Deacons would put up 10 runs in the 5th inning to take the game 16-6 in 6 innings to end the Hi-Liners season.

Things started out great for Valley City. The Hi-Liners would get 5 runs in the top of the 1st inning, with the help of 4 fielding errors from the Deacons. Broden Muske and Joe Cummings would provide RBI singles in the top of the 1st. Shanley would put up 4 runs of their own in the bottom of the 1st inning, Josh Biver with the big 2-RBI single. Shanley would tie thing sup at 5-5 in the home half of the 2nd inning as Sam Ousak would cross the plate.

Valley City would take the lead back in the top of the 3rd when Ethan Miller would bring in a run on a ground out.

Then the bottom of the 5th inning would happen. The Deacons would plate 10 runs in the home half of the 5th. Landon Meieer would bat twicw and have a pair of singles and bring in 3-runs in the inning. Jordan Lieninger would score a pair of runs and would also bring in a run during the inning. The Deacons, would bat in the bottom of the 6th with a chance to end the game. Elias Harris would get hit by a pitch and stand at 1st. He would be lifted for a courtesy runner and the runner would immediately steal 2nd base. With a chance to end the game, Sam Ousak would single home Harris from second base and give the Deacons the 16-6 win and punch their ticket to the state tournament.