The Minot Hot Tots never trailed until the game’s final pitch on Tuesday night. The Hot Tots were swept by the Duluth Huskies to begin week three of the Northwoods League after a 5-4 loss in the final game of the series.
One night removed from being no-hit through six innings, the Hot Tots had the bats working right away. In the second inning, Minot got on the board. TJ Stottlemyre shot a base-hit to center field that scored Charlie Kalbrener. The Tots’ 1-0 lead didn’t last long as the Huskies would manufacture a run of their own in the bottom of the second.
With the bases loaded and two out in the top of the fourth, Henry Allen proved he had the clutch genes by dropping a two-RBI single into left field. Matt Toomey would help the Hot Tots extend the lead in the following inning by plating Makai Susor which made the score 4-1.
Minot’s starting pitcher, Camden Dimidjian, held down the fort for five innings. Dimidjian allowed three hits and one run while striking out three in Tuesday’s appearance. Despite it being his shortest start of the season, it was up there as his best.
Another late lead got turned over the bullpen, and the Hot Tot relievers preserved the lead through the eighth. Despite no further run support, Minot remained in front of the Huskies 4-2 heading to the final frame. The Hot Tots put up another ‘0’ in the top half of the ninth and just needed to find three quick outs in order to snap a five-game losing streak.
A walk followed by a balk gave Duluth a runner in scoring position and the tying run at the plate. The Huskies’ third baseman Zan Von Schlegell recorded an RBI base hit with one out to cut the deficit in half. The next batter, Anthony Zarzana, hit a ground ball to third and reached base on a throwing error. The same error also allowed Von Schlegell to cross home and tie the game. Minot’s pitcher in the ninth, Austin Puett, then walked the bases loaded ahead of facing cleanup batter Ethan Surowiec. Surowiec did not need to put the ball in play to win it for the Huskies, instead he drew a walk that scored the winning run from third.
The Hot Tots will use an off day on Wednesday to return back to North Dakota and prepare for a two-game series against the Bismarck Larks. The series will start in Bismarck on Thursday before finishing at Corbett Field on Friday night.
Henry Allen pitched in a SportClips MVP performance, going 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs. The First Command Play of the Game was made by shortstop TJ Stottlemyre who made a sliding stop and quick throw for a sweet putout. The Hot Tots drew a new season-high 12 Buffalo Wild Wings Walks.
