Even though Jon Herold hadn't rapped a hit, he still appreciated the opportunity that was set in front of him.

Herold lined a two-run single, on the first pitch, to the gap in right-center field. His clutch hit helped the Bismarck Reps defeat Fargo 4-2 in a winners' bracket game Saturday at the Senior Babe Ruth state tournament.

Herold's hit in the sixth inning plated Mitch Feist and Zach Jacobson and broke a 2-2 tie at the Bismarck Municipal Ballpark.

"The pitch was outside,"said Herold, a shortstop. "I was just looking for something to drive to right field. I felt off the bat that it was going to be good."

The win moved the Reps into the championship round of the tournament. Bismarck will play the Fargo Sox for the state title today at 10 a.m. If the Sox win, the second championship game of the double-elimination tournament will be played at 1 p.m. The tournament champion advances to the regional tournament in Williston early next week.

Bismarck benefitted from Jake Hruby's perfect game on Friday to advance to the winners' bracket. Tyler Peterson started for the Reps on Saturday and pitched four complete. He threw to two hitters in the fifth.

Peterson started the game sharp, retiring the first seven hitters. Bismarck gave up its first hit of the tournament in the third inning when Fargo's No. 8 hitter, Erik Carlson, sent a line drive past Herold.

Peterson gave up six hits, with five of them coming in the fourth and fifth innings. He pitched his first full count in the fourth inning.

"It was a hot day, and Tyler got a little tired," Reps coach Mike Gustavsson said. "He got behind in a couple of counts early. We asked him how he was feeling, and he said he didn't have it all with him."

Jacobson relieved Peterson in the fifth and was credited with the win. Hunter Johnson earned his first save of the season.

The Reps took advantage of two of Fargo's four errors in the second inning to score two unearned runs. Matt Chuppe scored on a throwing error, and Jacobson singled in Matt Feist.

"We tell our kids when they play, especially Bismarck, if they don't make errors we're going to put ourselves in a good position," Fargo coach Derek Ouren said. "And we did not do that. For the most part our fielding has been good. It's just against these guys. They play good fundamental baseball."

Fargo pitcher Nick Heinle took the loss. He threw a complete game and gave up just one earned run.

Bismarck benefitted from a judgment call in the sixth inning. Carlson flew out to left field and Heinle advanced to third base. It was ruled that Heinle never tagged up, which ended the inning for Fargo.

"In the grand scheme of things, we still needed a hit here or there to get some more runs," Ouren. "It didn't affect the outcome of the call. I'm confused how a guy 335 yards away can determine whether the catch is being made and the guy that is closest isn't even looking at that. He's looking at the tag."

Feist led the Reps by going 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Jacobson went 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Carlson led Fargo by going 2-for-3.

Winners' bracket

Bismarck 4, Fargo 2

Bismarck 020 002 0 4 8 0

Fargo 000 200 0 2 7 4

Tyler Peterson, Zach Jacobson (5), Hunter Johnson (6) and Taylor Isakson; Nick Heinle and Dave Nygaard. WJacobson, 1-1; LHeinle, 3-1; SJohnson (1). HRNone.

HighlightsBismarck:Jon Herold 1-for-3, 2 RBIs. Johnson double. Mitch Feist 2-for-4, 2 runs. Jacobson 2-for-3, RBI. Fargo:Heinle 1-for-2, 2 RBIs. Erik Carlson 2-for-3.

Losers' bracket

Minot hung up three runs in the first and third innings and eliminated Williston 8-6 in the first game of the losers' bracket.

Ryan Fonder picked up the win and Shae Johnson was tagged with the loss.

Fonder also led Minot at the plate, going 2-for-3. Jerami Johnson, Kyle Hanson, Jake Axtman and Ben Eder each collected two hits for Williston.

Fargo then eliminated Minot in the other losers' bracket game with a 12-0 romp.

Fargo plated eight runs in the first inning and never looked back. Fargo collected 11 hits and Minot committed five errors.

Heinle and Alex Bergeron both knocked in two hits.

Losers' bracket

Minot 8, Williston 6

Minot 302 300 0 8 9 0

Williston 110 301 0 6 9 1

Ryan Fonder, Justin Ziegler (4) and Ethan Filipek; Eric Olson, Shae Johnson (1), Logan Jangula (4) and Jake Axtman. WFonder; LJohnson. HR"None.

HighlightsMinot:Fonder 2-for-3. Williston:Jerami Johnson 2-for-4. Kyle Hanson 2-for-4. Jake Axtman 2-for-2. Ben Eder 2-for-4.

Fargo 12, Minot 0

Minot 000 00 0 3 5

Fargo 801 3x 12 11 0

Kenny Tygart, Ziegler (1) and Filipek; Evan Workin and Carlson. WWorkin; LTygart. HRNone.

HighlightsFargo:Heinle 2-for-2, double. Alex Bergeron 2-for-3.