ROYAL CITY - Royal won the second game, 6-1, to split a non-league doubleheader at LaSalle Saturday and record its first prep baseball victory of the year.

The Knights started the season on Wednesday with a 3-2 loss to Cashmere that left coach Daren Christensen hopeful for a good season.

"They are one of the top five teams in the state," he said.

Pitchers Danny Vermeer and Brady Dixon held the Bulldogs to seven hits. They were hurt by two errors.

Dixon was a leader at the plate with two hits in three at-bats. Tanner Whitaker stroked a double and drove in a run.

The first game with LaSalle, a 7-3 loss, featured some quirky action that went against the Knights. The Lightning's four-run third inning included an inside-the-park home run on a ball lost by the outfielder in a rare moment of sunshine.

Another run scored after the Royal shortstop slipped and fell on a wet field going for a sure groundout. By the time he threw to first, the runners had advanced.

"Even still we had our chances, leaving eight runners on base," Christensen said. "We brought the tying run to the plate in the seventh."

The victory in the second game was keyed by Vermeer's brilliant mound work. He went the distance, giving up one hit and striking out four batters.

"Danny pitched another great game," Christensen said.

Although the margin of victory was ample, it  could have been greater.

The Knights failed to get key hits on several scoring opportunities, leaving 12 runners on base.

Zach Christensen got his hits, however, rapping three in four chances and scoring two runs. Kent Christensen batted 2-for-3 with   a run.

The Knights will play their home opener against Warden today at 4 p.m.

They will travel to Pateros on Saturday for two games.