The way Hunter Johnson sees things, this is as good as it gets.

Johnson, an infielder and pitcher for the BismarckGovernors Legion baseball team, says the July 3-4 series at Mandan is an obvious focal point in the regular season.

"They're definitely different," Johnson said of the two-game series at Mandan. "They're a lot of fun. Iwas kind of hoping I'd get to pitch because so many people turn out. We're trying to treat it like just another game, but Mandan is our rival and it does get a little bigger."

The Governors have dominated the rivalry in recent years, losing just twice to the Chiefs in the last six seasons. Bismarck has won 23 of its last 24 games with Mandan and 24 of 26 dating back to 2004.

Lefty Reid Jungling is the last Mandan pitcher to defeat Bismarck. He was credited with a 4-2 decision in the final game the teams played last summer.

Jungling took the loss as the Governors won the first encounter this season on June 9 in Bismarck. Governors right-hander Brady Wolf picked up the win.

Over the last five seasons, the Independence Day series has belonged to the Governors. Mandan's last success in the traditional holiday set was a 9-8 victory July 4, 2003.

Yet Johnson, in his second full season with the Governors, hasn't thrown against the Chiefs.

"We just have a rotation set up and that's just how it's worked out, I guess," Johnson said. "I'd like to throw against them."

Johnson pitched at Williston on Wednesday, so there's no chance he'll be available to pitch in this year's two-game series.

It's not as though Johnson, 1-2 with a 3.18 ERAon the mound, can't contribute as a position player. The 18-year-old third baseman is hitting .381 for the Governors, who improved to 15-9 with a Wednesday sweep at Williston.

Johnson's 24 hits include four doubles, three triples and two home runs for a .635 slugging percentage. He's knocked in 22 runs and scored 21 times while hitting third in the batting order.

That comes on the heels of a .375 wood bat performance with a homer and 23 RBIs in high school baseball. On the hill he went 6-2 for Century with a 1.17 ERA.

Johnson gives himself better grades at the plate than on the hill this summer. However, he thinks there's room for improvement in both areas.

"Iwould like my average to be higher than (.381). It's a pretty good averagebut I feel like Icould hit higher than that," he said."… I'd like to be in the .400s for sure and maybe even up in the upper .400s."

Last year he closed the Legion season well. The same held true this spring when he finished the high school season on a roll.

"Hopefully I'll come around later in the year around tournament time," he said.

Johnson is coming off a brilliant senior year at Century. He earned second team all-state honors as a quarterback in football and made the all-state baseball team.

College baseball is Johnson's next goal. He's narrowed the list to five schools -Kansas City Community College, a junior college in Kansas; the University of Mary; Jamestown College; Minot State, and Valley City State.

"I'm planning on just playing baseball," he said. "If I was to go to a ValleyCity or a Minot I might consider playing football depending on what they needed at quarterback. … But my main focus in college will definitely be on baseball."

The college recruiters have indicated Johnson has promise as both a hitter and pitcher.

"Their plans for me are more as an infielder and hitter," he said. "But going into fall ball I'd be treated as both (a pitcher and position player), and they'd see where I would fit in."

Govs vs. Chiefs, the last six years:

2009

Bismarck 5, Mandan 1. W-BradyWolf. L-Reid Jungling.

Tonight: Bismarck at Mandan, 7:30

Saturday:Bismarck at Mandan, 4:30 p.m.

July 20: Mandan at Bismarck, 6 p.m.

2008

Bismarck 6, Mandan 1. W - ZachWentz.L-Jared Quast.

BISMARCK9,MANDAN 7. W -BradyWolf. L-Jay Flaa.

BISMARCK13, MANDAN 4. W -Jon Hausauer. L-Reid Jungling.

Mandan 4, Bismarck 2. W -Reid Jungling L-ZachWentz.

2007

BISMARCK14, MANDAN 0. W -Jon Hausauer. L-Brian Borr.

BISMARCK22, MANDAN2. W-ZachWentz.L-Jared Quast.

Bismarck 5, Mandan 4. W-Matt Loomis.L-Brian Borr.

Bismarck 12, Mandan 2. W-Jeremy Campbell. L-Jared Quast.

Bismarck 7, Mandan 3. W-Jeremy Campbell. L-Jared Quast (Western Division Tournament).

2006

Bismarck 13, Mandan 9. W -Torey Bohan. L- Brian Borr.

BISMARCK10, MANDAN8.W- ZachWentz. L-Ryan Schnell.

BISMARCK8, MANDAN1. W-Matt Loomis. L-Andrew Tweet.

Bismarck 7, Mandan 6. W - ZachWentz. L-Ryan Schnell.

Bismarck 18, Mandan 0. W-Zach Wentz. L-Ryan Schnell (state tournament).

2005

BISMARCK17, MANDAN6. W-Brian Solemsaas. L-RyanSchnell.

BISMARCK7, MANDAN0. W - TimJallen. L-Brian Borr.

Bismarck 18, Mandan 8. W-Brian Solemsaas. L- Mitch Ibach.

Bismarck 14, Mandan 8. W -Josh Silvernagel. L-Brian Borr.

Bismarck 5, Mandan 4. W -Brian Solemsaas. L-Andrew Tweet (Western Division Tournament).

Bismarck 2, Mandan 1. W-Josh Silvernagel. L-Mitch Ibach (WesternDivision Tournament).

2004

Bismarck 5, Mandan 4. W -Kyle Bryant. L-AaronBoyer.

BISMARCK12, MANDAN3. W-Kyle Bryant. L-AaronBoyer.

BISMARCK6, MANDAN1. W-Mike Feldman. L-Bo Stanley.

Mandan 8, Bismarck 2. W- Aaron Boyer. L -Torey Bohan.

Bismarck 14, Mandan 4. W -Torey Bohan. L-Aaron Boyer (state tournament).

n NOTE:July 3-4 games in capitals.