The Aviators returned to the win column Thursday night, edging St. Paul 7-6 on a walk-off double from Tommy “Tanks” White at Las Vegas Ballpark.
With the game tied in the ninth, Junior Perez worked a leadoff walk and Henry Bolte followed with a single to put the winning run in scoring position. White then lined a double to right field, scoring Perez easily and sealing the victory as Las Vegas improved to 19-15.
Ambush early
Las Vegas struck quickly. After White singled and Joey Meneses reached on a throwing error in the first inning, Brian Serven launched a three-run homer to right-center, his second of the season, to give the Aviators a 3-0 lead. Later in the inning, Michael Stefanic added an RBI single to make it 4-0.
In the second, Drew Swift and Euribiel Angeles opened with singles before Bolte loaded the bases. White grounded into a double play, but Swift scored to extend the lead to 5-0.
Barnett in command
Meanwhile, Mason Barnett delivered a sharp start. The right-hander worked six scoreless innings, allowed three hits, walked one and struck out six while consistently pounding the strike zone. He exited with a five-run cushion and positioned Las Vegas for a comfortable finish.
Saints surge late
However, the Saints responded in the seventh. Geoff Hartlieb allowed a three-run homer to Kaelen Culpepper with two outs, trimming the lead to 5-4. Although the Aviators answered in the bottom half when Bolte singled, stole second and later scored on Meneses’ fielder’s choice, St. Paul continued to apply pressure.
In the eighth, a run-scoring double play cut the deficit to one. Then in the ninth, Culpepper delivered again, lining a two-out RBI single off Elvis Alvarado to tie the game at 6-6. Alvarado regrouped and struck out Ryan Kreidler to end the inning and keep the game even.
Final answer
That set the stage for White in the bottom of the ninth. Perez’s walk and Bolte’s third hit of the night created the opportunity, and White delivered with his third double of the season to bring home the winning run.
White finished 2-for-5 with the decisive RBI, Bolte went 3-for-5, and Serven drove in three. St. Paul fell to 17-18 despite Culpepper’s four-RBI performance.
Up Next
The series continues Friday night at Las Vegas Ballpark. Right-hander Matthews (2-2, 5.13 ERA) is scheduled to start for St. Paul, while left-hander Jump (0-1, 5.64 ERA) takes the ball for Las Vegas. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PT.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
