WAHPETON, N.D. — The Valley City Post 60 Royals out-hit Wahpeton Post 20 by an 11-5 margin, but a pair of costly two-out rallies proved to be the difference in an 11-7 loss Tuesday at John Randall Field.
Every one of Wahpeton’s 11 runs came with two outs, including an eight-run third inning that erased an early Valley City lead and swung the game for good.
After Wahpeton scored on a sacrifice fly in the second inning, the Royals answered in the top of the third. Jack Samuelson drove in a run with a sacrifice fly before two more runs crossed on a Wahpeton error, giving Valley City a 3-1 advantage.
The lead was short-lived, however, as Wahpeton erupted with two outs in the bottom of the third. The Post 20 offense scored eight runs on four hits, highlighted by Carter Hockert’s three-run double, to seize a 9-3 lead. Wahpeton added two more two-out runs later in the game, finishing with all 11 of its runs coming after Valley City had recorded two outs in the inning.
Corbyn Powell paced the Royals offensively, going 4-for-5 with a double, two stolen bases and four of Valley City’s 11 hits. Andrew Sykora, Parker Roelfsema and Bryson Heck each added two hits, while Samuelson drove in two runs.
Powell also took the loss on the mound, allowing nine runs, only one earned, over three innings. Treyton King earned the win for Wahpeton, surrendering four runs, two earned, over four innings.
Despite collecting more than twice as many hits as Wahpeton, the Royals were unable to overcome the Post 20 offense’s timely two-out production.
