The Minot Hot Tots scored first, but it was a late go-ahead score that gave the Badlands Big Sticks the win and a series split. The second game of the Battle of the Badlands rivalry series finished 7-6 in favor of the Big Sticks.

In the top of the first, Henry Allen homered to center field to get the action underway. The solo home run was Allen’s eighth of the season, putting himself in a tie for first place across the Northwoods League.

Things would take a turn in the third inning when Badlands put up four runs. Troy Berg hit a two-run home run to put the Big Sticks ahead 2-1, then Coy Defury came through with a two-RBI base hit to stretch the lead. The Big Sticks added another run in the fourth on a Connor Massimini hit that scored Berg.

Minot would slowly come back throughout the remainder of the game, scoring a run in the fifth and two runs in both the sixth and seventh innings. In the seventh inning, Christian Stratis brought in the tying run with a single to left field. The new 6-6 score would hold until the bottom of the eighth inning.

It was Berg doing the damage once again, leading off the inning with a single and stolen base. With a runner in scoring position, Connor Meidroth perfectly placed a hit into the right field corner, scoring Berg easily.

The Big Sticks had the lead and brought in the closer, Braylen Timmins, for the ninth. Timmins swiftly struck out the side and Badlands got the win, 7-6.

The Hot Tots and Big Sticks won’t see each other again until July 20 at Corbett Field. In the meantime, Minot will finish the first half of the season playing the Bismarck Larks. Sunday’s game is scheduled to start at 5:05 pm CT in Minot.