By Owen Patterson

 

MINOT, ND – There was drama, there were three comebacks, there was extra softball, but most importantly of all, a Minot Honeybees home win. In eight innings, the Honeybees collected their first win on the home turf in walk-off fashion, 6-5, over the Madison Night Mares.

 

Madison would open up the scoring in the first inning, thanks to a Hilary Blomberg RBI single. The Night Mares would add to the lead later in the third inning with a sacrifice fly by Lexie Shaver. Down 2-0, the Honeybees would get the comeback started in the bottom of the third inning.

 

All with two outs, the Bees would get a walk and two singles to score their first run of the night. The run was driven in by Skyler Dietz. After holding the Night Mares scoreless in the fourth, Minot would work on tying the game later that inning. Using the power of three doubles, the Honeybees would be successful in drawing even with Madison. Minot High School graduate Ariana Diaz brought in the tying run with a double to right-center field. The Diaz double would be named the First Command Play of the Game.

 

Immediately after relinquishing the lead, the Night Mares were back in front following a two-run fifth inning. Minot kept up the offense in the bottom of the fifth, scoring another run and getting the game back to a one-run difference.

 

The later innings were a tight-knit affair as relief pitching for both sides held the score to 4-3 in favor of Madison. Up to bat in the bottom of the seventh, the Honeybees found a way to tie the game and force extras. Cairah Curran led off the inning by taking three bases on a Madison error and was brought across on a sac fly by the next batter, Skyler Dietz. Minot would only get the one run they needed and an eighth inning was added.

 

Madison made scoring in extras look easy, pushing across the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly. Trailing for a third time in the game, the Honeybees were forced to make another big play, and that they would do. Batting with two runners in scoring position and one out, Victoria Flores popped up a ball to foul territory behind third base. The ball deflected off of shortstop Chloe Wamboldt’s glove and was sent all the way to the fence. Jackie Albrecht scored from third and Shannon Nelson followed, scoring the game-winning run.

 

The Honeybees took one of three from Madison in the series and will return to play at Corbett Field on Monday against Mankato.