ELDORA — Eli Curtis drove in the go-ahead run with an infield single in the top of the sixth inning and the East Marshall baseball team advanced through the first round of Class 2A District 4 play with a 3-2 win over South Hardin on Saturday night.

Zach Jacobson started with a double and took third on Wesley Hamor’s flyout to right field. Curtis hit a dribbler that allowed Jacobson to score, breaking a 2-all tie.

The Mustangs (4-11) then held the host Tigers (5-5) scoreless for the last two frames as Jaron Johnson earned the save. He allowed one hit, walked two and struck out two to preserve the victory for Kam Monk.

Monk threw five strong innings, allowing five hits and two runs — one earned — with two walks and seven strikeouts.

Monk also helped the Mustangs score an inning earlier after he reached base on an error. His courtesy runner Tyler Fuller stole second before scoring on Landon Elliott’s single.

Jacobson finished 3-for-3 at the plate with three doubles and an RBI, while Elliott was 2-for-4. Monk added a single.

Dante Dolash pitched 6 2/3 innings but took the loss for South Hardin, walking one and striking out 11.

East Marshall advances to face No. 3 Dike-New Hartford (12-3) at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Dike. The first district semifinal will begin at 4:30 p.m. between Denver and Hudson.

Three other area district games were postponed on Saturday, while BCLUW’s game was canceled after the Comets received a positive COVID-19 test earlier in the day.

Tonight, GMG meets Don Bosco at 5 p.m. in Grundy Center, West Marshall hosts Colfax-Mingo at 7 p.m., and Gladbrook-Reinbeck entertains Wapsie Valley at 7 p.m.