It took going the distance in a best-of-three series, but the Valley Christian Academy baseball team is back where it expected to be, with a chance to defend its section title in a Memorial Day high noon contest.

After winning game one of the series with Jim Elliot Christian on Saturday, the Lions lost game two on Monday afternoon before rebounding to bury Jim Elliot in the rubber match at Galt Community Park.

In Monday’s first game, Valley Christian had runners in scoring position all day long, but could not deliver the big run-scoring knock. Down three in the top of the seventh, the Lions loaded the bags with one out, but could not score as they dropped a 6-3 decision.

Jim Elliot scored single runs in the first and third, with VCA answering in the third and fifth to stay even, but the Eagles posted crooked numbers, with two runs in the fifth and a two-run blast in the sixth to build the advantage.

Junior Casas had a double and a home run to lead the seven-hit Lion attack.

After going the distance in Saturday’s opener, Valley Christian ace Ryan Cordell was back on the bump in the decisive third game of the series on Monday night. Throwing on short rest, the junior right-hander was better than ever, needing just 56 pitches to finish off Jim Elliot 11-1.

The performance was aided by the Lions scoring six runs in the fifth to provide the advantage that allowed the game to end after just five frames due to the 10-run mercy rule.

Cordell took a perfect game into the fifth, before allowing a double and a bloop single to break up the perfecto, the no-hitter and the shutout.

“He was dominating from the start, striking out two of the first three hitters of the game,” said Valley Christian coach Brad Gunter. “He had everything working and was an unbelievable competitor on the mound.”

Offensively, the Lions were led by Justin Reiner, Donovan Allen and David Risucci each had three hits for a Valley Christian offense that was relentless.

“At the plate we were focused from the start,” Gunter said. “Every mistake that they threw was hit hard. I don’t know if we took them lightly in the first game, but with the season on the line, game two was a way different story. I am extremely proud of how my players handled themselves in a tough situation.”

The Lions will face the winner of Tuesday’s Bradshaw Christian vs. Brookside Christian semifinal Monday at noon at Tony Zupo Field in Lodi, with the Division VII section title on the line.