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“I’m really happy about it,” Payne said. “I feel like we controlled the game, got ahead a lot. I think [starting pitcher Addison Walker] had four walks, but other than that, as a staff, we did pretty well. I think the biggest key today was to shut down innings. Anytime we’re able to shut down innings, we seem to control the game.”

The Glacier Pilots opened the game with a combination of flyouts and pop-ups from three of their first four batters, but the one exception was 2-hole hitter Andrew Becker, who hit a solo home run for an almost-instantaneous lead. The Goldpanners went three up, three down in both the first and second innings.

With Luke Medhurst in his first inning on the mound in relief of Anchorage starter Keenan Anzai, the Goldpanners sent four men to the plate. But the Glacier Pilots quickly ended the third inning with a double play.

Fortunately for the Goldpanners, they didn’t allow any more runs in the first four innings before their offense got going. BJ Rodriguez was tagged out short of home plate for the third out of the fourth frame after stealing third base on an infield error.

“It was really good for him not to let that continue on and have a domino effect,” Payne said of Walker allowing the initial home run. “He was able to bounce back right away and control the rest of the game.”

The Goldpanners tied the game when David Shackelford plated leadoff hitter Luke Thiele with an RBI double after Thiele got on base by being hit by a pitch. Shackelford scored, giving the ‘Panners a lead, when Vincent Venverloh sent him home with an RBI single hit just over the leaping shortstop’s reach.

The Glacier Pilots loaded the bases in the top of the fifth inning, and Goldpanners starter Addison Walker’s night ended after 4.2 innings. Jonah Walker navigated out of the situation by getting the third out with a flyout to deep centerfield.

Thiele provided an RBI single for a 3-1 lead, sending Lucas Schermer home, before both teams went scoreless in the sixth and seventh innings. Jonah Walker went 2.1 innings with two hits and no walks allowed. Egan Keeler took over on the mound for the Goldpanners beginning in the eighth inning. He struck out his first batter, threw out his second on a grounder and then struck out his third.

With two outs and two strikes on his count, Garrett Davidson placed a two-RBI triple along the right-field line to double the Goldpanners’ lead to 5-1. It was his first hit as a Goldpanner and just the team’s second triple of the season.

Andrew Banda came in to close the game for the Goldpanners, and the Glacier Pilots went three up, three down in the top of the ninth to end the game.

The victory improved the Goldpanners to 8-3 overall this season, while the Glacier Pilots are now 3-7. However, the Glacier Pilots — who have 22 NCAA Division I players on their roster, have only played in-state competition and are 3-2 in their last five games — are better than their record suggests.

Connor Wolf will be starting Friday’s Midnight Sun Game for the Goldpanners. Wolf had a 28-4 record in his NCAA Division II pitching career, including a 12-0 mark his senior season.

“He’s used to big crowds pitching at Central Missouri, so I think he’s going to embrace the moment,” Payne said. “It’s going to be fun for all of our guys.”

The Midnight Sun Game begins at 10 p.m. as the second part of a three-game series between the former ABL rivals.