The Post 60 Royals now sit one win away from qualifying for the state tournament as Valley City rode the arm of Carver Pederson to a 3-2 upset win over the top-seeded Devils Lake Storm.

The game started off shaky for Valley City defensively as a pair of errors in the bottom of the first set the table for Devils Lake catcher Trason Beck to drive in the game’s first run as he laced a single to center field. Valley City would even up the game in the top of the second inning as James Schwehr hit a high chopper that plated Jack Samuelson.

Devils Lake would recapture the lead in the bottom half of the inning after Parker Brodina leaned into a pitch to reach base to lead off the frame and came around to score after a groundout to Will Schwehr at first base. Both teams would exchange scoreless frames in the third, but in the top of the fourth, James Schwehr would drive in his second run of the game, lobbing a single over the head of Devils Lake shortstop Mason Palmer to drive in Gavin Gerhardt from second base.

The fifth inning would see the Royals capitalize off a costly Devils Lake miscue as a bunt single by Carver Pederson turned into a pseudo triple after an errant throw sailed over the first baseman’s head and rolled into right field. The next at-bat, Ethan Miller would single up the middle to give the Royals a 3-2 lead.

Pederson would retire the next eight Devils Lake batters, putting Valley City one out away from finishing the upset. However, a Beau Brodina line drive would escape the diving reach of center fielder Jack Samuelson as the Storm put the tying run at third base with two outs. Fortunately, a routine pop-up to second base would extinguish any possible rally for Devils Lake as Valley City finished off the 3-2 win.

Valley City’s next game is tomorrow at 7:00 PM. They’ll be taking on the winner of Kindred and the Fargo Bombers. That game can be heard on 1490 AM/ 96.3 FM KOVC.