Gavin King started on the mound for the Vistas during the first game of Wednesday’s double header versus the Keybirds. King started strong on the mound, earning two strikeouts and allowing no hits during the top of the first.

The Vistas had an explosive start at the plate during the first game. Third baseman Tegan Schindler started Minot off with a single into center field followed by a walk for shortstop Tre Stewart. Catcher Kellan Burke gave the Vistas an early lead with a line drive into center field for an RBI single, bringing Schindler safely home.

Second baseman Brody Mueller kept the momentum going during the very next at bat with an RBI single into right field. Mueller was able to bring home Stewart and advance Burke to third base.

Right fielder Braden Nelson was the next Vista to earn an RBI during the first game of Wednesday’s double header. He hit a single to Williston’s shortstop that brought Burke home for Minot’s third run of the game. First baseman Carson Deaver then hit an RBI double over the pitcher’s head to make the score 4-0 for the Vistas.

Minot was able to secure two more runs during the first inning of the game. Left fielder Oliver Deschamp hit an RBI single into right field after Williston brought in their first relief pitcher of the game. The Vistas’ last game of the inning came when designated hitter Hyrum Maples hit a sacrifice RBI to bring home Deaver. The score was 6-0 for the Vistas at the end of the first inning.

The rest of the first game was a battle between the Vistas’ and Keybirds’ defenses. The Vistas went three up and three down in the second, third and fourth innings. The Keybirds were unable to find their wings through the same inning. The Vistas were able to pick back up in the fifth inning thanks to a home run over the left field fence hit by Kellan Burke. The score at the end of the fifth was 8-0 for Minot.

The Vistas went three up and down again in the sixth inning. The seventh inning brought Williston its first run of the game. The Vistas were able to catch the Keybirds trying to steal second and ended the game in the top of the seventh 8-1.

The Keybirds were the first to kick start the second game of Wednesday’s double header. Brandon Nelson started on the mound for the Vistas when Williston scored their first run. The Keybirds went uncontested by the Vistas for the first three rounds of the game, unable to score a single run.

Minot scored their first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth and took the lead in the bottom of the fifth off of a sacrifice fly hit by No. 15 Drew Jordan. He brought home Deschamp to make the score 2-1 before the end of the bottom of the fifth. Williston quickly responded in the top of the sixth, earning themselves a second run for the game. A pop out ended the half before the Keybirds could break the 2-2 tie.

The Vistas could not take a run against WIlliston in the bottom of the sixth and the Keybirds earned themselves a third run in the top of the seventh. The score was 2-3 for Williston when Minot took their last at bat.

Carson Deaver was the first batter up in the bottom of the seventh. He found himself on second base after he was walked and Oliver Deschamp was thrown out at first. Gannon Hedberg stepped up to the plate and hit a single with enough distance that it allowed Deaver to make it home. The game was tied 3-3.

During the very next at bat, Drew Jordan rocked a single into center-right field and brought Hedberg to third, putting him in scoring position.

Tegan Schindler stepped up to the plate with runners on first and third with just one out. All he needed to win the game was a single that gave Hedberg enough time to run home. Instead, he shot a grounder right in the infield. Williston was able to quickly force Drew Jordan out at second, throw the ball to first to attempt the double play, keep the tie and go into extra innings. The Keybirds acted and made the move to first fast, but Schindler was faster. He beat the ball to first just in time to prevent the double play, bring Hedberg home and end the game with a walk off RBI single. The game ended in the bottom of the seventh with just two outs on the board. The score at the end of the game was 4-3 for the Vistas.

The Vistas will next play the Grand Forks Royals in Grand Forks Tuesday, July 8. They will then host a tournament at home at Corbett Field starting Friday, July 11 and running through Sunday, July 13.