Game One: Valley City 7, Minot Metros 1

James Schwehr tossed a complete game and the Valley City Post 60 Royals steadily built their lead in a 7-1 victory over the Minot Metros in the opening game of Monday’s doubleheader at Corbett Field.

Valley City struck immediately when Jack Samuelson launched a solo home run to left field in the first inning. The Royals added two more runs in the second, highlighted by Corbyn Powell’s RBI single, to take a 3-0 lead before continuing to tack on insurance runs throughout the afternoon.

Schwehr turned in another dominant outing on the mound, allowing just one unearned run on six hits over seven innings. The right-hander struck out five and walked two while keeping the Metros from putting together a sustained rally.

The Royals finished with 10 hits, led by Powell’s 3-for-5 performance from the leadoff spot. Andrew Sykora and Bryson Heck each added two hits, while Valley City showed patience at the plate by drawing six walks. Heck also stole two bases as the Royals continued to pressure Minot defensively.

Owen Meyer, Owen Sundahl, Ty Iverson, Brady Vigested, Ben Hedberg and Grady Weppler each collected one hit for the Metros.

Game Two: Valley City 18, Minot Metros 4

Valley City erupted for 17 runs over the first two innings and completed a doubleheader sweep of the Minot Metros with an 18-4 victory Monday at Corbett Field.

The Royals wasted no time taking control, sending 12 batters to the plate during an eight-run first inning. Jack Samuelson tripled home the game’s first run before Parker Roelfsema added an RBI single and James Schwehr followed with a two-run single. Corbyn Powell capped the inning with a two-run triple, and Samuelson added an RBI double later in the frame as Valley City built an 8-0 advantage.

The offense stayed hot in the second, scoring nine more runs on seven hits. Bryson Heck delivered a two-run single, Andrew Sykora added an RBI single, Leighton Hendrickson ripped a two-run double and Roelfsema drove home two more runs with a single as the Royals stretched the lead to 17-4.

Valley City finished with 13 hits. Roelfsema, Schwehr, Samuelson and Heck each collected two hits, while Roelfsema and Sykora drove in three runs apiece.

Bryson Heck started on the mound before Cole Bullinger tossed three scoreless innings of one-hit relief to close out the victory and secure the Royals’ sweep.