By Owen Patterson

MINOT, ND – The Minot Hot Tots made no mistake about it, their three-game losing streak was coming to an end tonight. With the help of a strong start by pitcher Cullen Flowers and plenty of offense, the Hot Tots picked up win number two of the 2024 season in 14-4 fashion over the Bismarck Larks.

Cullen Flowers, getting the ball for the second time this season, pitched three scoreless innings, leaving five Larks on the bases. Flowers was quickly backed up by one run in the first inning and another six in the third.

The third inning for the Hot Tots began with a leadoff double by Jaeden Jordahl, followed by an RBI base-hit from Jonah Shields. After two more Minot hits, Elias Fiddler stepped into the box with the bases loaded. Fiddler would unleash a grand slam to right center field getting clear out of the ballpark. The home run would be named the First Command Play of the Game. The scoring would not end there for the Tots, as Jack Matousek also would hit a home run, his first of the year to make it 7-0 Hot Tots after three.

The shutout continued with Devin Marton on the mound and the Minot offense showed no signs of slowing down either. The Hot Tots would add four more runs in the bottom of the fourth on 2-run hits by Tristan Moore and Lucas Pringle.

Eventually, the Larks would get on the scoreboard, but it was already too late. Bismarck cut the deficit to twelve runs at one point, but after Fiddler’s second home run, this time a two-run shot, the score would stay the rest of the way.

Minot improved to 2-4 with a big win over their rival Bismarck who drops to 4-4. Following an off day Tuesday, the Hot Tots and Larks will meet up once again in Bismarck on Wednesday.