Valley City overcame early pitching trouble to remain unbeaten, rallying for a 9-3 win over LaMoure/Litchville-Marion/Edgeley.

The Hi-Liners took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Corbyn Powell led off with a hit by pitch, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Jack Samuelson.

Both starters — Valley City’s James Schwehr and LaMoure’s Mason Warcken — worked a scoreless second inning as the Hi-Liners carried a 2-0 lead into the third.

LaMoure took control in the top of the third despite not recording a hit. Schwehr struck out the first batter, but the next five reached via walks or hit batters, allowing the Loboes to score three runs and take the lead.

Valley City responded in the bottom half. Samuelson hit a two-out solo home run to cut the deficit to 3-2.

Luke Praska provided stability out of the bullpen, tossing scoreless, hitless innings in the fourth and fifth to keep the Hi-Liners within striking distance.

With two outs in the fifth, Powell delivered again, hitting a game-tying home run to left-center to make it 3-3.

Praska added another hitless inning in the sixth, and the Hi-Liners’ offense broke through. Andrew Sykora hit a one-out double and later scored on a single by Leighton Hendrickson to give Valley City a 4-3 lead.

Valley City capitalized on three errors in the inning, adding five more runs to extend the lead to 9-3.

LaMoure recorded its first hit with two outs in the seventh on a double by Colin Barnick, but Praska struck out the next batter to end the game.

Valley City will face New Rockford-Sheyenne next, weather permitting.