The Junction City Brigade got a three-run triple from Tyler Halstead in the sixth inning to break open a 5-5 tie, and moved on to an 8-5 victory over the Kansas City Knights Wednesday evening at Rathert Field.

The win came in the deciding game of the semifinal round playoff series and propels Junction City into the championship finals against the Midwest A’s. The first game of that best two out of three series will be at Rathert Field Friday night at 7 p.m.

Halstead, a Riley, Kansas product,  said on his big hit he was aware that he had to “stay back on the breaking ball. It was a good throwing lefty and I just stayed back, reacted to the pitch and drove it into right-center.” Kansas City put two runners on base with two out in the top of the ninth inning, but Brigade pitcher Nick Swanson got the final out when he struck out Brian Hawkins to end the game.

In the other Mid Plains League playoff semifinal contest the Midwest A’s won the deciding game when they defeated the Topeka Golden Giants 15-5 Tuesday night.