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(NewsDakota.com) There will be a new State Class B and Region I High School Baseball Champion this season. It very well could be a team that received those honors just three years ago.

The Kindred/Richland Vikings, who came into the Region I Tournament as the top seed are just one win away from advancing to another State Tournament after defeating the Oakes Tornadoes 3-2 in eight innings on Tuesday evening in a semi-final contest.

The hometown Vikings were first to find the scoreboard in the bottom half of the third inning with Fletcher Andel picking up a two out double; driving in Zach Cosette. Oakes responded in the top of the fourth with a run each from Cole Ehrlin and Jon Tyre to take the lead.  

The Vikings added another with an out in the bottom of the sixth thanks to an RBI single by Tyson Tallakson to tie the game, and won it in the eight off of Bryce Meehl with an RBI single to right from Matthew Worken with two men out. Oakes certainly had their chances; the Tornadoes stranded a runner on third base in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.

Trevor Dufner allowed four hits and struck out six to earn the win, while Bryce Meehl struck out 13 and was credited with a loss.

In other action, Northern Cass defeated LaMoure-Litchville/Marion 3-2 to send the the #6 seeded Loboes home. The Falcons of Enderlin/Maple Valley shut down the defending State and Regional Champions from Central Cass 6-0 to send the Squirrels home for the year, but the Jaguars then send the Falcons home in the final game of the day with an 8-1 victory.

Thursday’s play starts at 4 p.m with #4 Northern Cass and #3 Oakes. The winner will take on Kindred-Richland 30 minutes after, and will need to defeat the Vikings to force a winner-take-all contest on Friday at 5 p.m.

Coverage Thursday on KDDR-AM 1220/95.9 FM and NewsDakota.com starts at 3:45 p.m.