Royals Battle Buccaneers Out West

The Royals hit the road, traveling to Glendive, Montana, to face the Dawson Community College Buccaneers in a four-game series split across Sunday and Monday.

In game one, both teams traded runs early. The Buccaneers struck first in the bottom of the first inning, capitalizing on two walks and a single to plate a run. The Royals responded in the top of the second when Jamison Nelson walked and later scored on an error, tying the game at 1–1. However, Dawson took control from there, scoring two runs in both the third and fourth innings to build a 5–1 lead. Neither team scored again, and the Buccaneers took the opener 5–1. Lucas Lyons recorded the Royals' only hit with a double.

In game two, the Buccaneers again came out strong, scoring three runs in the second inning and two more in the third. The Royals began to chip away in the fourth, as Trason Beck and Lyons hit back-to-back singles, and an error by the Dawson shortstop brought in two runs. The duo stayed hot in the fifth, each singling again to help score Jax Yakiwchuck and Beck, cutting the deficit to 5–4.

Trailing by one entering the seventh, the Royals threatened. Yakiwchuck drew a walk, and Gabe McKinney singled to put two runners on with no outs. After a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk to Lyons, the Royals had the bases loaded with one out. However, they were unable to capitalize, striking out and lining out to center to end the game, falling just short 5–4. Beck and Lyons each went 2-for-3, while Logan Dearborn added a double. Jack Albert and Rinas provided scoreless relief outings.

Game three proved difficult for the Royals, as Dawson's offense exploded for seven runs in the first inning. The Royals responded with two runs of their own, highlighted by a double from Lyons and an RBI single from Beck, making it 7–2 after one. Dawson continued to build its lead, adding one run in the second and three in the fourth to go up 11–2. A four-run fifth inning, fueled by multiple doubles, extended the lead further. The Royals managed a couple of late runs, including a triple by Lyons, but ultimately fell 15–4.

In the final game of the series, the teams were tied early after Dawson scored in the first and the Royals answered in the second with an RBI single from Jack Albert. Dawson regained the lead with three runs in the third, but Ty Cavers responded with an RBI double to keep the Royals within reach. After another Buccaneers run, Lyons delivered a solo home run in the fifth. However, a five-run sixth inning by Dawson put the game out of reach, and the Royals fell 11–3. Beck had a strong performance, going 3-for-3 with a double.

The Royals dropped the series and will return home for their opener against NDSCS on Wednesday.