ROYAL CITY - The Royal Knights fell, 4-3, to Cashmere Saturday in their first appearance in the 1A state tournament in years.

But they had a performance and season of which to be proud. The unbeaten Bulldogs came into the contest ranked No. 2 in the state.

Ironically, the Royal season ended just about the way it started. The Knights fell to Cashmere, 3-2, in a season-opening non-league contest.

"I am very proud of how the team battled and competed throughout the year," coach Daren Christensen said. "The team can be proud of how they have left a foundation of expectations that has been lacking the last several years."

Several Royal players made all-league honors. The first team included Danny Vermeer, Zach Christensen and Kent Christensen.   The second team had Uli Montoya. Honorable mention went to Tanner Whitaker and Anthony Westcott.

Saturday Royal jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning and then added one more run in the third. The Knights held that lead through four innings.

Vermeer, a two-year mound ace, pitched another great game, changing speeds and location.

The Knights held a 3-2 lead heading to the bottom of the seventh.