Jimmy Lafakis/MDN Sabre Dogs starting pitcher Marcelo Terrazas fires a pitch during the third inning of Monday's game against the Badlands Big Sticks.

It seems a bit odd to hear Christmas tunes while taking in a ballgame at the tail end of July. However, Corbett Field was quite festive on Monday night as the Sabre Dogs battled the Badlands Big Sticks in a “Christmas in July” themed matchup. The temperature at first pitch was 75 degrees with a calm breeze.

Timeless classics such as “Jingle Bells,” “Feliz Navidad” and Gayla Peevey’s “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” engulfed the park in the holiday spirit. Santa Claus and elves roamed the concourses throughout the evening.

The Lewis Division showdown marked Souris Valleys’ first game at Corbett since its ten-game Nebraska road trip. The home team did not bring a present to the fans in the first game of the season’s final homestand.

The Badlands Big Sticks took a 4-3 victory in an action-packed battle.

The Sabre Dogs drew first blood in the game’s first frame. Left fielder Phillip Childs and shortstop Mason Dinesen reached base, then advanced on a double steal. Second baseman Josh Paino drilled a towering sacrifice fly to deep right field, scoring Childs.

Starting pitcher Marcelo Terrazas retired the first nine batters he faced, but surrendered a run in the fourth inning. Badlands leadoff hitter Michael Fuhrman hit a single and came around to score on infielder Bryson Ford’s sacrifice fly. He limited the damage after the run.

“It felt really fun,” Terrezas said. “I was doing whatever I do best, I guess. Just hitting my spots and working with my players. Obviously, I couldn’t have done it without my defense.”

After four innings, the score remained knotted at 1-1. Big Sticks starting pitcher Tyler Chipman worked his way out of a dire situation in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Sabre Dogs left runners on second and third base.

Badlands took the lead in the top of the sixth after Mitch Dean’s deep fly ball to the outfield. Dean scooted all the way around to third base on an error, and Fuhrman cashed in with a sharp RBI single up the middle. Sabre Dogs catcher Justin Henhle subsequently fired a rifle to second base and caught Fuhrman stealing.

Souris Valley threw a haymaker to counter. First baseman Bo McClintock greeted Badlands relief pitcher Brock Rountree with a towering fly ball that soared well over the left field fence. The solo shot tied the game once again, this time at 2-2 after six innings.

Terrazas, who pitched exactly six innings in his last five starts, retired the Big Sticks in order in the seventh. The pitchers’ duel continued, as Big Sticks reliever Joseph Harris also faced the minimum in his half of the frame.

Neither team scratched in the eighth, as Souris Valley left another runner on base. Terrazas exited the game after allowing just three hits in eight innings of work. Chase Grillo relieved him.

“You get so tired,” Terrazas said. “Thankfully, I helped myself out. I had the batters swing. I had a couple innings under 10 pitches, so those are crucial when you try to go for long-distance.”

With two outs in the top of the ninth, the division-leading Big Sticks made one final push. Connor VanCleave ripped a two-run home run over the right field fence.

Down to their last raps, the Sabre Dogs attempted to answer off closer Cort Dietrich. McClintock walked, and pinch-runner Luke Quick entered the game. Third baseman Jase Edwards found the hole through third and short for a single.

Right fielder Sam Powers forced a bobble with his sharp grounder to second base. Badlands got the out at second, but couldn’t turn two. Catcher Justin Henle added a sacrifice fly to center off a hit-and-run play, scoring Quick.

Center fielder Wilson Roubion flew out to the exact same spot to end the game.

Badlands improved to 42-17 overall, while Souris Valley dropped to 32-26. The Sabre Dogs will continue their homestand with the first of a two-game series against the Hub City Hotshots tonight. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

Jimmy Lafakis covers Minot High School sports and Class B high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @JJLII30.