Valmeyer is one win away from winning the Mon-Clair League Championship series against the St. Louis Spikes at Whitey Herzog Field in Belleville. Following a split on Sunday, the two teams will battle for all the marbles on Monday night.

The Lakers fell behind 4-1 early in game one before putting up six runs in the sixth inning, with the big blow coming off the bat of Ben Thoma on a monster home run to left center. His blast put the Lakers up 9-5.

Andy Fleet came on to close out the game as the Lakers took game one, 9-7. Andy Skaer picked up the win.

The Spikes took advantage of some walks early in game two to jump out to an early 5-0 lead after three innings.

Valmeyer tried to mount a rally late, scoring two runs in the sixth, but were unable to get anymore as the Spikes took the game, 5-2.

The championship will come down to a one game winner-take-all game three to be played Monday night. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.

Read more in Wednesday’s print edition of the Republic-Times newspaper.