There was edge-of-your-seat excitement for 21 innings, three games and two days at Corbett Field. To kick off the State Fair festivities in town, the Minot Honeybees hosted a three-game series against the La Crosse Steam. The Bees would pick up one win, but kept every game close to wrap up the week.

In game one, the Steam sprinted ahead 2-0. In the bottom of the fourth, a Shayna Myshrall two-run home run altered the game’s course and tied the score at the halfway point. Minot’s bats were kept quiet around the long ball and the same went for La Crosse. The visitors eventually broke through in the sixth inning, scoring on a couple of hustle plays to build a 4-2 advantage. Minot went down scoreless in the seventh inning, losing their third-straight game.

Friday’s action got off to an early start. With first pitch fired just after 2:00 pm, La Crosse was again on the board early. Three runs were scored in the opening inning against Minot starter Jackie Albrecht. Through it all, the Honeybees never lost their confidence. A run in their half of the first inning, plus two in the second and another one run in the third put Minot promptly ahead.

Highlights of the comeback included a leadoff home run by Bella Cimino, part of a two-hit day. Cimino would also bring in the winning run on an RBI single in the third. After the tough first inning, Albrecht cruised through the rest, striking out 11 on her way to a win.

In the rubber match on Friday evening, the Steam did what they always seemed to do, score in the first inning. Three walks loaded the bases for the recently-crowned Home Run queen, Avary Makarewicz. The Steam home run leader launched a grand slam to left field, kicking off the contest.

The Bees had a tough time keeping up as La Crosse would eventually pull ahead 9-3 in the sixth inning. Against reliever Kylie Stark, the Honeybees saw immediate success. Two runs came across home for Minot in the sixth to make a dent in the deficit. In the seventh and down to their final out, the Honeybees started piecing together baserunners and base hits. Three runs were in, making the score 9-8 in favor of La Crosse. With the bases loaded, Cadey Shipman flew out to right field ending the comeback just short.

The Bees dropped to 17-13, still in second place league-wide. Minot will have a big test next as they face third-place Mankato six times next week alone.