Hi-Liner Baseball finishes Regular season with W over New Rockford-Sheyenne

Baseball

May 12

The Hi-Liners head into postseason play with momentum, confidence, and the feeling that they can make noise in the Region Tournament. Valley City closed out the regular season Saturday with a solid 5-2 victory over New Rockford-Sheyenne to finish the year at 8-7 overall.

While the record may not jump off the page, this is a team that has shown flashes all spring of being dangerous when all three phases come together.

Head Coach Satterholm made it clear the focus heading into regions is simple: complete baseball.

“Regions is a double-elimination tournament. I’m confident that if we play our best baseball, we will be in a good spot. We just really need to play a complete game in all three facets,” said Satterholm. “Offensively, I know we’ll put runners on and be aggressive. Just need to pitch and play defense. If we can minimize our big innings defensively, I like our chances against anyone.”

That confidence isn’t unfounded.

The Hi-Liners have proven throughout the season they have offensive firepower capable of changing a game quickly. Players like Jack Samuelson and Corbyn Powell bring legitimate extra-base and home run potential every time they step into the batter’s box. Powell showed that power again Saturday, blasting a solo home run in the third inning to spark the Valley City offense. Samuelson continued his hot hitting as well with three hits in the win.

On the mound, Valley City has shown it can compete with anybody when pitching and defense settle in. James Schwehr delivered a strong outing against New Rockford-Sheyenne, piling up strikeouts and working out of multiple jams to help secure the victory.

The biggest question for the Hi-Liners entering postseason play may simply be consistency. When Valley City limits defensive mistakes and avoids giving opponents extended innings, they’ve shown they can compete with — and beat — quality teams.

That’s what makes this group dangerous in a double-elimination bracket.

An explosive offense, aggressive baserunning, and enough pitching depth to stay alive gives the Hi-Liners the type of profile nobody wants to see get hot at the right time.