Minot High freshman Carter Bush (right) slides into home plate while Minot North senior Levi Balas (left) waits for a throw home during the Sentinels' and Magi's hame at Corbett Field on Thursday, Apr. 30. Nathan Beitler/MDN

The Minot North Sentinels and the Minot High Magicians met on the field for the first time this season on Thursday evening, Apr. 30, as the baseball regular season draws closer to its end.

With just two more weeks left before the start of the WDA tournament, Minot High and Minot North are both towards the bottom of the top eight spots, and every win will need to count if they are to secure themselves a spot in the post season this year.

Though Thursday was Minot High’s first time back at Corbett Field in just over two weeks, the Sentinels retained the home team title during their pair of games, and they made the most of their ‘home field advantage.’

Senior Brody Mueller started off the evening on the mound for the Sentinels and sent the Magi three up and down to kick off the top of the first inning.

Senior Gannon Hedberg put the first run on the board to give the Sentinels an early lead in the bottom of the first with an RBI single into left field, bringing junior Mason Stewart back to home plate.

The Magi were quick to respond in the top of the second. After a balk by Mueller put sophomore Owen Meyer into scoring position for the Magi, junior Gavin King doubled into left field, allowing Meyer to make his way home to tie the game.

King was able to make it back to home plate just two at bats later, giving the Magi the lead as they headed into the bottom of the second.

Though they had worked their way to a one-run lead, the Magi were unable to hold the Sentinels back.

Minot North’s Brady Vigested kicked off the Sentinels’ scoring run, finding his way home after an error at home plate let him score. From there, the Sentinels brought four mare players across home plate, scoring a total of five runs n the bottom of the second.

By the time the Magi secured their third out of the inning, the Sentinels were up 6-2, and it proved to be too big of a gap.

The Magi scored just two more runs over the course of the game while the Sentinels scored one additional run, giving them the victory over the Magi 7-4 in the first game of the night at the end of the top of the seventh inning.

The Sentinels were quick to kick off the second game of the double header as well.

A pick off attempt at first base let senior Landyn McGhee race home from third base to secure the Sentinels’ first run of the game and take the lead in the bottom of the second inning.

The Magi tied the game 1-1 in the top of the top of the fourth inning and took a definitive 3-1 lead in the top of the sixth, but the Sentinels once again found themselves on a scoring run.

The game ended in the bottom of the seventh inning with a walk off two-run RBI double by senior Logan Dixon. The Sentinels closed out the double header with their second win of the night at 4-3.

With their two wins on Thursday night, the Sentinels moved up above the Magi in their WDA placements, but there is still six games for both teams in the regular season.

Both teams will get just under a week’s break before facing their next opponent. The Magi will stay at Corbett Field for their next double header as they prepare to take on Bismarck St. Mary’s on Tuesday, May 5. The Sentinels will head back on the road as they take on Watford City that same day.