The Minot Hot Tots are looking to carry the momentum from their walk-off win into game two today versus the Rochester Honkers. Yesterday was a battle of the bats as Minot came away with a comeback 8-7 win. After recording one hit between the second and eight innings, the Minot bats came alive in the ninth, recording three hits including the last one to end the game. Ryan Castro lead-off the ninth with a walk, followed by a Justin Rumfield single. With one out, Matt Toomey connected on his team-best third hit of the game; an RBI ground-rule double. A wild pitch scored pinch-runner Zach Doyle and advanced Toomey to third. Just two pitches later, with two outs, Robbie Demetree comes up in the clutch. A come-backer goes off the glove of Rochester’s pitcher, and the Hot Tots come away with a wild victory. 

      When speaking to Max Ortega today about how yesterday’s win impacts the way the team is feeling, he said the mood has been flipped in the clubhouse. That walk-off snapped a five game losing skid and gave a newfound confidence to this Hot Tots roster. Ortega, a former Honker, says that the team is feeling good about today’s game. He will be back in the line-up today as the catcher. He is also the team’s home run leader among active players. 

      The Hot Tots and Honkers are back at it at 1:05. Come to the ballpark or tune into the broadcast on Northwoods League+. 

Written by Ethan Jennings.