Jimmy Lafakis/MDN Minot Vistas infielder Jack Plemel reacts after hitting a home run in Game 1 of Sunday evening's doubleheader against the Williston Keybirds at Corbett Field. The Vistas earned a 10-0 victory before falling 6-3 in the nightcap.

As Tyler Harbort’s consistent pitches stymied the Williston Keybirds’ offense, Jack Plemel rewarded his teammate with a hearty helping of offensive production.

Plemel ripped a deep home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to help the Minot Vistas take a 10-0 victory over the Keybirds in the first game of Sunday evening’s doubleheader at Corbett Field. After earning the six-inning win, the Vistas dropped a 6-3 decision in the nightcap.

“That was one of the bigger numbers we’ve put up,” Vistas head coach Pat Arntson said about Game 1. “Runs have been tough to come by. Us putting together that 10-spot and typically earning it, that’s kind of our message. We’ve seen bigger numbers, but not with us banging it around. When you get some consistent barrel — and that’s why we’re getting our bigger numbers — that was very encouraging.”

Neither squad scratched in the first inning, but Logan Merck smacked a two-run double in the bottom of the second frame. The strong extra-base hit set a positive trend.

Minot tacked on two runs in each of the next four innings. Plemel provided a run-scoring contribution with a single in the third inning.

As Harbort continued to toss a scoreless game, Braedon McCarty and Hunter Ruzicka brought in two additional runs in the bottom of the fourth. Williston scattered some hits, but could not muster much offensive stability.

In the bottom of the fifth, Plemel yanked the ball deep into left-center field. The jubilant Vistas mobbed him at home plate.

“He was seeing it really well,” Arntson said. “Getting a lot of barrel.”

Harbort continued his stellar performance on the mound, and ultimately threw a complete game. One final scoreless frame paved the way for Plemel to end the game with a sharp RBI single up the box.

During the nightcap’s early stages, the Keybirds struggled against Minot starter Aydan Almy. In the bottom of the third, Plemel provided run support with a sacrifice fly.

The Keybirds erased the 1-0 lead with a run that scored on a wild pitch. In the top of the fifth, Williston manufactured four more runs.

The sixth inning provided some excitement for both teams. Two Minot runs came home on Calvin Watkins’ deep drive to right field.

Watkins hustled around the bases, but was thrown out on a bang-bang play at home plate. An RBI single in the top of the seventh gave the Keybirds a 6-3 lead.

Minot was unable to plate a run in their half of the seventh. The Vistas will play a doubleheader starting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Mandan.

“We need to see progress,” Arntson said. “We’re peaking at the right time. I think we’re starting to see more guys play better. We’re starting to see less mental lapses. We’re starting to see us being able to maintain focus a little bit longer.”

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