Jimmy Lafakis/MDN Souris Valley catcher Nolan Monthei makes contact with the ball during Thursday evening's game against the Badlands Big Sticks at Corbett Field. The contest marked the last regular-season game for both teams. The Sabre Dogs claimed an 8-7 victory over the Big Sticks.

As if the Badlands Big Sticks and Souris Valley Sabre Dogs did not compete in enough dramatic games this season, Souris Valley’s Kaiden Cardoso provided one final curtain call.

In the final regular-season game of the Expedition League campaign, Cardoso’s walk-off sacrifice fly sealed an 8-7 win for the Sabre Dogs (27-25). The Big Sticks (29-21) will represent the Lewis Division in this weekend’s Expedition League Championship Series against the Fremont Moo.

The Sabre Dogs jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two innings. Both teams scored three runs in the fourth inning.

The Big Sticks picked up one run in the sixth inning and two in the eighth. With the score tied at 7-7 in the bottom of the ninth, Cardoso launched the go-ahead productive out to center field.

Cardoso finished the game 3-for-5 at the plate with three RBIs. Souris Valley starting pitcher Will Thomas struck out eight Badlands batters.

The Sabre Dogs tallied 11 hits, while the Big Sticks mustered nine. Neither team committed an error.

Badlands will begin the postseason series against Fremont at 7:35 p.m. this evening in Dickinson.

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