FARGO, N.D. –  (NewsDakota.com) – Valley City scored three runs in the top of the first inning and Jacob Johnson did rest as the Royals downed Kindred 5-3 in the opening round of the Sr. Babe Ruth East Divisional Baseball Tournament at Jack Williams Stadium in Fargo.

Kindred jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first on an error, walk, error and wold pitch. That was the first three batters of the inning, but Johnson would strike out the next three batters to get out of the inning. He would strike out the side in the second as well, 1-2-3.

The Royals would score three in the first. Johnson had an rbi single to score Avery Bennefeld who tripled to start the inning. Riley Gerhardt scored Johnson on a single two batters later to make it 2-1. Mitchel Taylor came in when Viking shortstop Logan Myers let a ground ball off the bat of Alex Thornton go through his legs. Tate Sufficool also scored on the play but was called out for failure to slide at home plate.

Kindred would score in the top of the third when Carter Schmitz reached on an error, stole second,went to third on a single and scored on the front end of a double steal attempt. Matt Pearson was thrown out trying to steal second, then Schmitz came in to score to make it 3-2.

Valley City would score what proved to be the winning run in the bottom of the third when Alex Thornton drove in Grady Karges who walked and then stole second.

The pesky Vikings would not go away when they added another run in the sixth on Gavin Keller’s rbi ground out.

The Royals would get an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Johnson got his second single and second rbi when he drove in Bennefeld with a hit to left.

Johnson had a strong outing as he allowed two hits and three unearned runs in seven innings.He walked two and struck out 12. He would retire the last ten batters he would face.

The Royals will face the West Fargo Vets for a fifth time this year on Wednesday night in the winners bracket. The Vets defeated the Fargo Bombers 11-1. Game time is 7pm and can be heard on AM 1490 KOVC/96.3 FM and video streamed live at newsdakota.com beginning at 6:45pm.

Tuesday’s results:

GAME #1 – West Fargo Aces 4, Casselton 2

GAME #2 – Fargo Jets 7, Devils Lake 0

GAME #3 – Valley City 5, Kindred 3

GAME #4 – West Fargo Vets 11, Fargo Bombers 1 F/5

Wednesday Schedule:

10:00AM – Casselton vs. Devils Lake (Loser out)

1:00pm – Kindred vs. Fargo Bombers (Loser Out)

4:00pm – West Fargo Aces vs. Fargo Jets

7:00pm – Valley City vs. West Fargo Vets