The Minot Vistas appeared poised to return to conference play on a positive note with six outs to go and nursing a five-run lead.

But the Mandan Chiefs scored six unanswered runs across the final two innings and plated three runs in the bottom of the seventh to win in walk-off fashion, defeating the Vistas, 8-7, in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Wednesday, June 17, at Veteran’s Memorial Balllpark in Mandan.

The Vistas couldn’t recover in the nightcap, scoring one run and committing four errors in a 7-1 loss, suffering their first series sweep of the season.

Peyton Koppy delivered the game-winning hit for the Chiefs in the opener, driving in Zach Weiler from third with a single up the middle for Mandan’s only lead of the contest. The Vistas didn’t record an out in the inning, as all five Chiefs reached base.

Trailing 7-5 entering the seventh, Mandan’s Hudsen Sheldon led off with a home run to right field after fouling off three consecutive pitches from Minot’s Remington Anderson. Sheldon homered twice in the opener, his first coming in his first at-bat in the first inning. Ty Weiler followed with a single to left and advanced to third on a single off the bat of Zach Weiler. Troy Gerhardt tied the game 7-7 with a bunt single to third, moving the winning run in Zach Weiler to second. He would advance to third on a wild pitch before coming around to score on Koppy’s game-winning hit.

The Chiefs (8-7) recorded seven of their nine hits over the final two innings. Mandan scored all three of its runs in the sixth with two outs. Koppy hit an RBI double to right to score Troy Gerhardt. Liam Keller drove in Koppy with a single and Miken Brahos got Mandan within 7-5 on a Minot error at third.

After exchanging runs in the first and second innings, the Vistas scored the next five to build a 7-2 lead through 5 1/2 innings. Brock Thompson delivered a two-run double, plating Gannon Hedberg and Tegan Schindler to give Minot a 4-2 lead in the third.

Minot tacked on a run in the fourth off an RBI groundout from Schindler.

The Vistas (9-6) put up two more runs in the sixth, but would lament not scoring more. Drew Jordan and Thomson both recorded RBI singles in the frame. Minot had the bases loaded with no outs, but two strikeouts and an infield fly kept the Chiefs in the game.

Thompson led the Vistas offense with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate with three RBIs.

Sheldon, Zach Weiler and Koppy all finished with two hits for the Chiefs.

Zach Weiler also recorded the win on the mound in three innings of relief work. He allowed two runs on three hits, striking out three and walking three.

The Chiefs picked up right where they left off to begin the series finale, scoring a run in the first and two in the second for an early 3-0 lead. Sheldon continued to send baseballs over the fence, recording his second straight leadoff home run and third homer of the series. Ty Weiler brought home Koppy and Liam Keller on a single through the left side with the bases loaded in the second inning.

Minot’s lone run came in the third when Mason Stewart scored from third on a wild pitch.

The Chiefs put the Vistas in a sizable hole following a four-run sixth. Mandan strung together five hits and two walks in the inning. Aaden Pfiger, Ty Weiler, Zach Weiler and Gerhardt all delivered RBIs.

The Vistas finished with five hits. Logan Dixon went 2-for-2.

Sheldon hit three home runs in the series and was the winning pitcher in Game 2. He tossed the first five innings, allowing one run on four hits, striking out two.

Ty Weiler went 2-for-3 with three RBIs for Mandan.

The Vistas travel to play Jamestown on Thursday, June 18, at 5 p.m.