VALLEY CITY, N.D. —West Fargo Horace swept Valley City in a doubleheader Tuesday, winning Game 1 by a score of 13-5 before cruising to a 16-0, mercy-rule victory in Game 2.

In the opener, the Hawks rode a strong performance from starting pitcher Cason Borchardt. Both teams got off to quick starts offensively, with Leighton Hendrickson cutting into an early Horace lead with an RBI double in the first inning to make it 3-2.

Borchardt and Valley City’s Adam Shanenko each tossed scoreless 1-2-3 innings in the second, but Horace broke the game open with three runs in both the third and fourth innings, chasing Shanenko and stretching the lead to 9-2.

After a shaky first inning, Borchardt retired 15 consecutive batters, finishing with eight strikeouts over six innings. He exited in the seventh with a comfortable 13-2 lead. Valley City scored three runs off reliever Bryce Nelson in the final frame, but a strikeout ended the rally.

In Game 2, the Hawks wasted no time, erupting for 10 runs in the first inning to take full control. Horace continued its dominance on the mound, shutting out the Hi-Liners in a shortened game via the mercy rule, winning by a final score of 16-0.

With the sweep, Valley City falls to 0-7 on the season. The Hi-Liners will look to bounce back Thursday with a doubleheader against West Fargo Sheyenne, scheduled for 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.