Bismarck, North Dakota- The Bismarck Larks (19-16, 32-34) dominated the rival Minot Hot Tots (12-19, 25-42), claiming the Petroleum Pennant and Dakota Dust-Up trophies at Municipal Ballpark.

Bismarck put up 3 runs in the bottom of the 1st off starter Gavin Pacheco, chasing him from the game. With the bases loaded, shortstop Drew Kleinheider sent a bases-clearing triple to right center, scoring Blade Carver, Luke Stulga, and Trevor Goodwin.

Minot managed a run in the 2nd inning off Luke Zimmer, returning to the Larks for his third season. Drew Reaves, Adrian Dominguez, and Tyler Humphrey loaded the bases, with Reaves scoring on a wild pitch. Zimmer escaped without any further damage.

Facing Eduardo Fernandez in the 2nd, Bismarck added a couple runs, starting with a Carver sacrifice fly, scoring Clay Cook. With 2 outs, Kleinheider came through again with an RBI single, plating Keegan Landis and putting the Larks up 5-1.

The Larks piled on in the 3rd, loading the bases with nobody out. Landis smacked an RBI single to left, keeping the bases loaded. With 2 outs, Trevor Goodwin delivered the Larks’ first grand slam of the season, scoring Logan Murphy, Cook, and Landis. Bismarck wasn’t done, as Kleinheider drew a walk and Jackson Crider in his final game as a Lark blasted a 2-run homer to left. 12-1 was the new score.

Minot put up 1 in the 4th, with John Freitag drawing a bases-loaded walk, plating Micah McCoy.

Dane Grant entered for the Hot Tots in the bottom of the frame and surrendered a 2-run homer to Luke Stulga, who scored Keegan Landis to put Bismarck up 14-2.

Kaige Kennedy-bierbrodt entered for Bismarck in the top of the 6th and gave up an RBI single to Ryan Farias. He then threw a wild pitch, scoring Humphrey from third, and gave up an RBI single to Austyn Peak, plating Farias as Minot’s 5th run.

The Larks answered with a run in the bottom of the 6th off Nolan Demilia. Landis hit a leadoff double and stole third base. Stulga drove him in with a single, putting Bismarck up 15–5.

Minot managed 3 more runs in the top of the 7th, loading the bases with no outs. McCoy scored on a wild pitch from Gavin Stewart. Humphrey added an RBI single, scoring Reaves. Later in the inning, with the bases loaded, Austyn Peak hit a ground ball to Kleinheider, who committed

a fielding error, allowing Humphrey to score Minot’s 8th and final run.

Luke Zimmer (1-0) earned the victory in his first appearance, throwing 5.1 innings while giving up 2 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks, striking out 2. Minot’s starter Gavin Pacheco (2-3) took his third loss, throwing 1.0 innings of 3-run ball while allowing 2 hits, walking 3, and striking out 2.

The Larks finish their 4-game series against Minot on Tuesday night at Dakota Community Bank and Trust Field, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m.