It couldn’t have been a more perfect way to end the opening night of the 2013 state baseball tournament. Twin Cedars and three-time defending Class 1A champion, Martensdale – St. Mary’s played a nine-inning instant classic, and it was the Sabers’ that advanced over the Blue Devils on Friday night, 4 – 1. The game was scoreless until the fifth, when a leadoff single by Eric Clark followed by a sacrifice bunt by Collin Still allowed Coy Moore to drive the Sabers’ first baseman in for the contest’s first run. The Blue Devils answered in the bottom of the inning, also with a two-out RBI. Each team had their opportunities to push the go-ahead run, but it was Twin Cedars that took advantage in the ninth. Clark started the inning with a base hit and again was bunted over by Still. Levi Jones hit a grounder to third and the ensuing throw to first was overthrown to allow the run to score. Two more RBI singles by Coy Moore and Brent Parker gave Twin Cedars two big insurance runs, and that was more than enough for pitcher Otis Roby, who scattered five hits and allowed one run in nine innings. After the game, Roby gave credit to his defense behind him. Coach Matt Miller said that ninth inning could have been a huge momentum boost really for either team, and fortunately, it was his team that benefitted. Twin Cedars moves on to the semifinals which is played this Thursday at 12:00, and their opponents will be the number one ranked team in the state, Newman Catholic out of Mason City. You can hear the semifinal game live on AM 1320 KNIA.