The Weyburn Beavers wrapped up the regular season with a thrilling 5-4 win over the Melville Millionaires Thursday night. The win gives the Beavers momentum as they prepare for the post-season, which opens Sunday night in Swift Current.

The two teams went back and forth all evening, with the Millionaires scoring in the top of the first, third and seventh innings, and the Beavers responding in the bottom half of each inning. For the Beavers, the game was a way to get a number of players into the lineup, to get a few reps at position and at the plate. The bullpen also got a lot of work, with six different pitchers on the mound. Melville, on the other hand, was playing for a win, fielding their best nine players in the batting order, and a strong performance from pitcher Austin Ell, who went nearly the distance before being replaced in the ninth inning.

The winning run for the Beavers came in the bottom of the ninth. Dan Moro, leading off, hit a triple to dead centre. In scoring position, the Millionaires brought their left fielder in to play a rover position in the infield, trying to keep everything in front of them, to make the play at home. Jordan Anderson came to bat for the Beavers and struck out, by catcher Braden Allemand dropped the pitch. He made the throw to first to complete the out. Moro took off for home, and was able to beat the throw back from first base for the walkoff win.

The Beavers open the best-of-five quarterfinal series with the Swift Current Indians Sunday. This will be the second time in three years the two teams have met in the postseason. The Indians took the series in 2014 in three straight games. Weyburn will be looking for a different outcome this year. Game two of the series will be Monday in Swift Current, before coming back to Weyburn for game three Tuesday, and game four, if necessary, on Wednesday.