The early leaders in the 2025 Northwoods League softball season met up on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the series did not disappoint. The Madison Night Mares and Minot Honeybees were separated by a half-game for first place, but nothing would change by the end of Wednesday night with each team getting a win and a series split.

 

The long trek to Wisconsin seemed to not faze the Honeybees, who scored right away to take a 1-0 lead. Starting pitcher Ashleigh Heiderscheit started strong with scoreless innings in the first and second.

 

Minot’s offense erupted in the third inning, swaying the momentum totally in the Bees’ favor. Thirteen batters were sent to the plate, with six hits, three walks, a hit by pitch and one error moving the Honeybees around. In all, a ten spot was put on the board, making the score 11-0 Bees.

 

Madison couldn’t make up the ground quick enough and faced a run-rule loss heading into the bottom of the fifth. Down 13-0, the Night Mares needed at least four runs and that is exactly what they got.

 

The Honeybees had some fun with the extra inning, plating another four runs, with Taylor Chillingworth’s home run responsible for three of them. This time, the lead was too much for Madison to overcome. The Night Mares did score three in the bottom of the sixth, but the game still ended early in run-rule fashion, 17-7.

 

The Honeybees’ new franchise record for runs in a game was aided by some impressive offensive performances by the likes of Carly Cummings, Bella Cimino, Taylor Chillingworth and Trinity Gregg. Cummings and Cimino each gathered three hits while Chillingworth’s home run was the late highlight. Gregg went 2-for-3 with a triple, three RBIs and three runs scored.

 

The following night saw a much closer game played. The Night Mares responded to the Honeybees’ two-run second inning with seven unanswered. Minot managed to regain the lead in the fifth with seven runs, but Madison kept rolling at the plate.

 

Going into the seventh and final inning, Minot was down 11-9. The Bees would load the bases with one out for Trinity Gregg and Taylor Chillingworth, but both were struck out and the game went final. Madison regained possession of first place with their 5-2 record while the Honeybees dropped down to third at 5-3.

 

Minot’s road trip in Wisconsin will last two more days. The Honeybees match up for the first time ever with the Wausau Ignite in a doubleheader on Thursday followed by a single game Friday night.