Le Mars, Iowa — Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley is one win a way from the State Tournament after holding on against Le Mars in Le Mars for the 7-6 victory Monday night.
LeMars was the first team to put runs on the board. Trent Hillbrands reached on a ground rule double, and was later driven in on a double by Brandon Hager. After two innings of play it was Le Mars leading 1-0. BHRV countered with a run in the top of the third. Dylan Harman would score from third on a wild pitch from Gabe Eckstaine to make it 1-1 heading into the bottom of the third inning.
LeMars responded in the bottom of the third with a run of their own. Kyle Kleiver was driven in on a sacrifice fly to deep center by Keaton Candor making it 2-1 after three innings of work. Le Mars then added another run in the bottom of the fourth as Hillbrands hit into a fielders choice but drove in Parker Magnussen to make it 3-1.
BHRV took the lead in the 5th when Mitchell Diekevers lifted a single to deep right and Shane Solberg was able to score from 2nd base, Brett Moser drove in Jackson Mulder with a grounder into left field, and Trey Huyser was able to get the RBI walk to make it 4-3.
Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley created some separation by adding a run in the 6th and 2 more in the 7th to make it 7-3.
But things would get interesting in the bottom of the 7th. Kleiver would double to center to drive in a run, Ote Albrecht came into pinch hit and later came into score on a wild pitch, and Candor drove in a run with a double to center to make it 7-6.
Diekevers got the win for the Nighthawks. Diekevers went 6 1/3 and gave up 5 earned runs on 8 hits while striking out 5. Jackson Mulder would get the save, going 2/3 innings.
Eckstaine took the loss for Le Mars. He went 5 1/3 innings, giving up 4 earned on 8 hits and 4 walks, while striking out 11.
The Nighthawks improve to 18-8 on the year and will play Wednesday at 7 pm against Heelan in Le Mars at Substate for a trip to the State Tournament. The Bulldogs end their year at 19-14.