Darin Back had a metal bat game in a wood bat league.

Back, Minot's cleanup hitter, drilled a two-run triple and crunched a two-run home run Monday. The hard-hitting center fielder was the main driving force in the Magicians' 11-7 West Region victory over Century.

With the crucial win, Minot improved to 11-3 in the region. Century slipped to 9-5. The Magicians arrived in Bismarck a game and one-half behind regional leader Dickinson.

Minot claimed the nonregional nightcap 6-1 to improve to 17-4 overall.Century dropped to 12-10.

Back, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound junior, said he jumped on fastballs to burn Dan Bihrle for his second-inning triple and Greg Hilzendeger for his sixth-inning round-tripper.

"They were both fastballs, right down the middle. The home run was inside," Back said.

Back has two doubles, four triples and two home runs on the season. That gives him a hefty .654 slugging percentage, which is something of a surprise.

"I've never been a power hitter," he said.

The Magicians banged Century's unbeatenBihrle around for eight hits and nine runs in four-plus innings. Bihrle, a sophomore right-hander, lost for the first time in five decisions.

"He was just leaving them right over the middle," Back said. "We had a nice chat about getting up in the box and looking for the right pitch."

Back's home run at first appeared to be in play. It bounced off the left field light tower that sits just outside the fence and recoiled quickly onto the field, a drive of about 350 feet.

Minot turned the first game around with a six-spot in the second inning, scoring all the runs with two out.

Alex Fornshell cracked a two-run single for the first two runs and Ryan Bollinger's ensuing single plated a third marker. Backchased Fornshell and Bollinger home with a long triple to dead center and scored when relay man ErikPeterson dropped the throw from the outfield.

Century co-coach Kent Schweigert noted the Patriots could have sneaked out of the inning without a run by making a play on a bunt.

Kalvin Larson, the second hitter in the inning, dropped a soft sacrifice bunt in front of the plate and legged out a hit.

"What hurt today was mental errors. We gave them basically six runs," said Schweigert, who shares coaching duties with Mike Gustavsson. "We should have been out of that inning with no runs. Against good teams you can't afford that."

Minot's offense played opportunistic baseball, stranding just three runners. Century, meanwhile, left 13 men aboard. They left the bases full in the fourth and sixth frames.

"We just didn't get the big key hit. … We've got to at least put the ball in play and make them make a play,"Schweigert said. "That hurt us against Mandan, too. That's what we're searching for now."

Century lost a 1-0 regional game at Mandan on Saturday.

The sweep gives Minot five straight wins, including a sweep of league-leading Dickinson on Saturday.

"We're playing more as a team,"Back said. "It's starting to come together all-around. We've been strong defensively all season … and our offense is definitely improving. We've been spending a lot of time in the cage and playing more games definitely helps. You've got to see a lot of pitches … to get in any kind of groove."

Both teams have two regional games remaining. Century visits Williston on Thursday and Minot on Friday. Minot plays at Beulah today before playing host to Century.

Minot 11, Century 7

Minot 062 012 0 - 11 9 2

Century 100 114 0 - 7 9 2

JoshOothoudt, Jory Walker (5), Alex Fornshell (6) and Brett Fiddler; Dan Bihrle, Greg Hilzendeger (5) and JustinLedger. W - Oothoudt, 2-0. L -Bihrle, 4-1. HR -Minot, Darin Back.

Highlights:M-Alex Fornshell 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBIs; Ryan Bollinger 2-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI; Back 2-for-4, triple, HR, 2 R, 4 RBIs; Fiddler 2-for-3, 3 R, 3 SB. C- Erik Peterson 2-for-4, 2 R; Tate Leapaldt 2-for-3, 2 R; Hunter Johnson 1-for-3, double, 1 R, 1 RBI; TomKeller 2-for-4.

Minot 6, Century 1

Minot 100 41 - 6 4 2

Century 010 00 - 1 5 1

Tyrel Erickson and Eric Thoemke, BenWare (4); Matt Stoehr, Tom Keller (2), Eric Peterson (5) and LoganRauhauser. W - Erickson, 2-1. L-Stoehr, 3-1. HR- None.

Highlights:M-Jory Walker 2-for-2, double, 1 R, 3 RBIs; Ware 1-for-1, double, 1 R; Erickson 5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO. C-Keller 1-for-2, double, 1 R; BrandonGates 1-for-2, double, 1 RBI.

Records:Minot 11-3 West Region, 17-4 overall; Century 9-5, 12-10.