PREP BASEBALL: ROYAL 3-7, River View 6-0

by Alan Dale<br> Herald Sports Writer
| May 3, 2011 5:30 AM

KENNEWICK - With a key South Central Athletic Conference (SCAC ) East split on Friday, the Royal Knights are one win away from a district playoff berth.

That happened thanks to coming back to win game two of a doubleheader 7-0 against River View following a 6-3 loss in game one.

Now if they can just split SCAC's top dogs, Kiona-Benton, tomorrow, that postseason berth would become a reality.

"With a win we will have clinched a playoff berth which was our team goal for the year," Royal head coach Daren Christensen said. "The team has been great at refocusing and battling with the teams in our league and the boys are looking forward to playing the Bears and securing the first playoff run in several years."

Against River View, Royal (8-10, 4-4), dropped the opener thanks in part to a four-run River View third inning.

"That inning most of their runs came from several walks and some bad throws that allowed the Panthers to get some momentum," Christensen said. "Their pitcher did a good job keeping our hitters of balance."

Royal's Danny Vermeer did go 3-for-4 with two doubles in the loss.

In the nightcap, Vermeer pitched a two-hit, complete game, as the Knights rode a five-run first inning to cruise to the victory.