“[The win] feels great. It’s a big momentum booster for us honestly. We knew we could beat them [RTR] coming into the game, we just had to have confidence the whole game,” Mason Javers said. “Putting together a super good lineup, our coaches do a great job with that, and really just executing [helped us win].”

The game was a pitcher’s dual nearly the entire night between Mason Javers and Kolby Louwagie. It wasn’t until the fourth inning when the Vikings began to connect at the plate against Louwagie.

Louwagie also pitched nearly the entire game for the Knights, and was relieved by Tyler Wichmann in the sixth inning.

Notably, both team’s defense shined throughout the game with a handful of impressive plays each. RTR had a pair of tag-outs at home, while Minneota third baseman Creed Stassen had a few big stops and outs to first, in addition to the rest of the Vikings’ defense.

Photo by Samantha Davis: Minneota third baseman Creed Stassen throws to first base for an out against Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Tuesday night.

“It [the defense] was good. We had a couple of hiccups, but I tip my hat off to Minneota,” RTR head coach Danny Moffitt said. “He [Mason Javers] pitched excellent today. He was dealing, and we couldn’t adjust to him. So, I really tip my hat off to them, and their third baseman [Stassen] and everybody, really played well.”

Following a defensively competitive first three complete innings, Minneota got on the board with a run in the bottom of the fourth to take a one-run edge.

Kaden Christensen accounted for the run after Ian Myhre hit a sacrifice fly out to left field, and charged home from third base.

Christensen initially got on base with a leadoff double on a hard hit to deep left field, and advanced to third with a Carson Javers’ single to right field.

RTR was able to halt Minneota from scoring any more runners, while have two on base, after completing the last out with Garrett Elton, the Knights’ catcher, grabbing a passed ball and flipping it up to Louwagie for the successful tag-out when Beckham Gaalswyk was attempting to steal home.

Photo by Samantha DavisL Russell-Tyler-Ruthton's Kolby Louwagie throws a pitch against Minneota Tuesday night.

Gaalswk was pinch running for Carson Javers.

Mason Javers noted that the team was able to anticipate a few pitches of Louwagie’s, in regards to how the Vikings started racking up some base hits.

The Knights got into scoring position in the top of the sixth with Brayden Chandler getting to third base with a leadoff infield single, stealing second and then advancing to third after Mason Javers was called for a balk.

Yet, Mason Javers quickly got his revenge and tossed another strikeout to end the inning and prevent RTR from tying the game up.

“It was fun. I mean, my guys made a lot of phenomenal plays. I wouldn’t be able to do it without them,” Mason Javers said of his pitching performance. “I just did my job, and they did theirs.”

Photo by Samantha Davis: Minneota's Carson Javers connects for a hit against Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Tuesday night.

Minneota added in its insurance run in its final plate appearance in the bottom of the sixth.

Christensen hit a double to center field, eventually getting to third, and a Landon Esping RBI single to left field sent him home.

RTR made the pitching change to Wichmann, as Elton had the Knights’ second successful tag-out at home plate with Carson Javers turning back toward third after potentially trying to steal home. Wichmann then tossed a strikeout to end the inning and put the Knights at the plate for a final time.

“Kolby did excellent. They put the ball into play on him a couple of times, but he doesn’t have to hang his head down. I mean, 2-0, you only give up two runs, that’s a really good game,” Moffitt said. “Tyler is always a good anchor to have, hopefully I will have him ready for Adrian, we got to play them on Thursday. All around, our attitudes are getting a lot better, and we’re getting things figured out.”

The Knights needed to bring in two runs to extend the game, while Minneota was looking to hang on one more time defensively. A pair of fly ball catches and one more Mason Javers’ strikeout ended the night, saving the win for the Vikings.

Photo by Samantha Davis: Russell-Tyler-Ruthton third baseman Tyson Burns throws to first base for an out against Minneota Tuesday night.

RTR (5-3) will next return to its home field to host Adrian/Ellsworth on Thursday with a 4:30 p.m. first pitch. The Knights have also been putting together a good start to the season, as it works through the year in hopes to make another deep postseason run, building off last season’s section championship and state tournament berth.

Minneota evens up its record to 4-4 on the season, and will next host Central Minnesota Christian at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. The Vikings have been on a strong rhythym as of late, now winning four straight after dropping their first four games on the season.

“We just got to keep playing together as a team,” Mason Javers said. “We have done a great job with that. Keep taking good at-bats, and keep hitting the ball.”

Photo by Samantha Davis: Minneota shortstop Ian Myhre throws to first base against Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Tuesday night.

Photo by Samantha Davis: Russell-Tyler-Ruthton's Isaac Janish swings at a pitch against Minneota Tuesday night.