The Minot High baseball team was in prime position to secure a season-opening sweep of Dickinson on Saturday, March 28, but a four-run lead quickly turned into an 11-run deficit and a mercy-rule shortened nightcap.

The Mavericks put up 15 runs in the third inning to come from behind for an 18-7 victory over the Magicians to avoid the sweep. Minot High won the opener, 9-3, at Corbett Field.

Minot High (1-1) entered the top of the third inning nursing a 7-3 lead. The Magicians fell behind by a run early, but tied it in the bottom of the first inning on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Drew Jordan, allowing Tegan Schindler to tag and score from third. After surrendering two more runs in the second, the Magicians again rallied with four of their own in the bottom half. Brody Johnson and Cole Deaver each drove in one and Remington Anderson plated them both on a two-run single through the left side to put Minot in front 5-3.

Gavin King capped off the inning with a triple to center to bring home Anderson and Jordan. King and Anderson both finished with two RBIs.

The Mavericks (1-1) broke the game open with a 15-run third, using seven walks, seven singles, three hit batsmen and two errors. Dickinson did not have an extra-base hit in the game. The first five batters reached base safely. Minot High recorded its first out of the frame by throwing out Mason Tormaschy at the plate on a fielder’s choice. It would be 12 batters before Minot High would get its second out and three more before getting out of the inning.

Sam Dobitz, Jaxson Herbel, Trey Campbell, Josh Spillman, Kaden Gale and Tormaschy all recorded RBIs in the inning. The Mavericks brought 21 batters to the plate.

The Magicians committed five errors and allowed 15 baserunners via walks or hit batsmen.

In the opener, the Magicians scored the first nine runs of the game and were able to hold on to the lead, limiting the Mavericks to three runs on three hits over seven innings. King, Johnson and Carter Bush combined for the three-hitter, striking out five. King got the start and pitched the first three innings. Johnson and Bush each tossed two innings of work.

Anderson went 2-for-2 at the plate with a double and a walk, two RBI and two runs scored.Schindler also had a multi-hit game, finishing 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

The Magicians jumped out to a 4-0 lead after one. With the bases loaded and two outs, Owen Sundahl singled to center to drive in Jordan and Anderson. An error at shortstop allowed two more runs to come in for Minot High.

Minot High added another run in the second on an RBI groundout from King before tacking on four additional runs in the third. Schindler, Anderson and Thompson all delivered RBIs in the frame.

Corbin Wolf was 1-for-2 with an RBI for the Mavericks.

The Magicians return to action on Monday, March 30, for a doubleheader against Bismarck Legacy beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Corbett Field.