The first game, it was errors - seven each by the Minot Metros and the Williston Oilers.
The second game, it was walks and hit batsmen. Both teams combined for 22 Tuesday at Jack Hoeven Park.
Add steady hitting to that mix, and the result is 60 runs scored and the second game of the doubleheader cut short due to fading light.
Article Photos
Daniel Allar/MDN
Minot Metros infielder Austin Eggl awaits a pitch Tuesday during a doubleheader against the Williston Oilers. Eggl hit for the cycle in the first game to lead Minot to a 20-13 win.
The Minot Metros American Junior Legion team won game one 20-13 but lost 16-11 in game two despite taking a four-run lead in the first inning.
"There was no flow to either game," Metros coach Travis Smith said. "It was tiring. ... It was just a long, hot, muggy day and we lost some focus. When you lose focus, you lose baseball games."
Austin Eggl batted for the cycle to highlight the Metros' 19-hit performance in game one. He went 2-for-2 in the second game to finish the day 6-for-7 with five RBIs.
"It's just a testament to his tenacity," Smith said. "He just stays with it at the plate, he never gets cheated and he's always attacking baseballs. He did great."
The Metros (7-12) put up 10 runs in the first inning of game one and never trailed.
In the second game, both teams' pitchers struggled with their control. The difference: Williston outhit Minot 14-7 and cashed in on more of the free passes.
"We stayed with it and good things happened," said Williston coach Doug Richter, whose team trailed 7-3 after the first inning. "We've played a lot of games in a row, they've played a lot of games in a row so you just gotta grind it, grind it, grind it and if you work hard enough you can win."
The Oilers (14-7) responded with a seven-run second inning to take a 10-7 lead that they'd never relinquish. Williston scored in every inning but the sixth.
Williston left fielder Jalen Braden went 7-for-9 on the day with five RBIs. He had two doubles in game two.
"He's my best hitter; he hits with power and he hits to all parts of the field," Richter said. "He works really hard and he comes with a great attitude every single day."
Smith was upbeat despite the Metros' struggles.
"We work with the guys," he said. "That's what junior legion's all about; we don't wanna go back and forth so much (but) we are right now. We gotta try to stay positive and keep working at all facets of the game."
Minot's Zach Danelson went a combined 5-for-8 at the plate.
The Metros host Bismarck in a doubleheader beginning at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Hoeven Park.