Alex Eisen/MDN Western Nebraska Pioneers third baseman Thomas Gavello (left) is unable to snag a pick-off throw as Sabre Dogs runner Bo McClintock (right) slides into third base Saturday evening at Corbett Field in Minot.

The Souris Valley Sabre Dogs couldn’t cash in when it mattered the most Saturday evening to avenge a woeful first inning.

The Western Nebraska Pioneers (12-17) never relinquished the lead after a 5-0 opening-inning burst, in large part due to tack on two late runs in the ninth, to capture an 8-6 victory over the Sabre Dogs (13-14) in Minot.

“In every inning, it felt like we were right there,” Sabre Dogs head coach Corey Thompson said. “We had guys on base. We just never came through. I think we just have to be better with runners in scoring position. That’s what it all comes down to.”

The Pioneers put Sabre Dogs starting pitcher Trevor Jackson to work in the top of the first inning. Jackson threw a staggering 45 pitches while trying to navigate a tight strike zone and the Pioneers’ wood bats.

Western Nebraska made timely contact, scoring five runs on four hits.

First name counterpart Trevor Mattson ignited things with a two-run double. Blaine Ray followed that up with a two-run triple, and Luis Alcantara added an RBI single through the right side of the infield.

“That’s tough,” Thompson said. “But we have been here (in a similar position) last week. Badlands on the road, we had two bad starts and came back to lose by one run in both of those games. We have been here. They didn’t give up, so that’s exciting to see. But, we need that one clutch hit with runners on base.”

Souris Valley effectively used the next three innings to chip away and reduce the five-run deficit.

Bo McClintock stole third base, quickly picked himself up and came home on an errant throw over to the bag for the first run in the second inning. Mason Dinesen also scored on a throwing error in the third inning to go with an RBI single by Sebastian Murillo.

In the fourth inning, Murillo walked with two outs and the bases loaded to get the Sabre Dogs within a run, 5-4.

Souris Valley left the bases juiced. Pioneers starting pitcher Seth Kuykendall, who pitched for the Sabre Dogs in 2018, struck out former teammate Dinesen on a full-count pitch.

Kuykendall was making his first start (second appearance) for the Pioneers during this shortened summer baseball season.

“It was different,” Thompson said about facing Kuykendall. “I knew we would get to him a little bit. We had to throw up more zeros than he did and, unfortunately, we didn’t.”

Jackson picked up one out but left two runners on base in the fifth inning before stepping aside. Minot State’s side-arm throwing relief pitcher, Dylan Roach, replaced Jackson on the mound.

Roach limited the damage to a single run off an RBI single by Ray.

Still trailing 6-4 in the top of the seventh inning, Roach pitched out of a sticky situation with runners on first and third base. With Corbett Field crowd chanting, “Beer, beer, beer,” Roach struck out the beer batter Alcantara to end the inning and grant $2 off beer sales for the spectators.

That momentum swing somewhat carried over into the bottom half. The Sabre Dogs loaded the bases, but McClintock flew out to the warning track in right field to end the palpable threat.

Western Nebraska added two insurance runs in the ninth inning. The first was via a passed ball. The second was going to be off a balk by Austin Glaze until the umpires reversed their decision. It didn’t make a difference as Gabe Togia still came through with a two-out RBI single, 8-4.

Those two runs proved to be crucial.

The Sabre Dogs answered with two runs in the bottom half. A wild pitch scored Justin Cooper, who went 3-for-5, and Allen Grier’s first hit of the game was an RBI single.

Souris Valley placed the tying run on first base with only one out.

McClintock stepped into the batter’s box and got a second chance to be the hero. Instead, he popped up with a towering fly ball into shallow center field. McClintock spiked his bat into the turf in disgust.

Pioneers closer Mikito Barkman stuck out pinch-hitter Tim Conway on four pitches to end the game and earn a six-out save.

The three-game series concludes at 2:05 p.m. this afternoon in Minot. The Sabre Dogs then get Monday off for a rare rest day and prepare for 23 straight days of baseball to complete the regular season.

“We got to have a good start and hit with runners on base,” Thompson said. “That’s basically it.”

Before Saturday’s game, the North Dakota Fraternal Order of Police Souris Valley Regional Lodge #7 and the Minot Fire Department squared off in its third annual “Guns N’ Hoses” charity softball contest. Team Guns won a high-scoring 23-18 affair over Team Hoses at Corbett Field.

It was the first “Gun N’ Hoses” softball win for Team Guns.

Game jerseys were auctioned off with proceeds going to local charities.

Alex Eisen covers Minot State athletics, the Minot Minotauros and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @AEisen13.