The twists and turns of the Dakota Dust-Up rivalry series have been wild ones and the most recent set of games may have been the most unique. One night after falling at home to the Bismarck Larks, the Minot Hot Tots snatched a win in Bismarck on Monday night to finish the first half strong.

Immediately, Zach Doyle was hit by a pitch, getting the Hot Tot offense started in the first inning. The hit batter was followed up by a two-run home run by Henry Allen, his ninth of the summer. With the homer, Allen now ranks in first place all by himself in home runs across the Northwoods League. It also would stand as the First Command Play of the Game.

Minot would end the first inning with a 3-0 lead, a sufficient enough start for pitcher Kahler Key. In his second start at Municipal Ballpark, Key spun a magical start once again. In five innings, he allowed one hit while shutting out the Larks to earn the win and SportClips MVP honors.

The Hot Tots added to their lead with a run in the third and sixth innings plus two runs in the seventh inning. Up 7-0 at the stretch, Minot looked to be running away with a victory, but the Larks did make it interesting in the end. Bismarck would score three in the bottom of the seventh highlighted by an RBI double from Carson Luna.

The Larks comeback was kept short after they let another Minot run score on a bases-loaded hit by pitch. Pavlos Piperakis pitched a strong 2.1 innings to close the game and get credited with the save.

Minot’s Sky Dancer Casino Big Win moves the Hot Tots to 4-2 against the Larks this season. Three Buffalo Wild Wings Walks were drawn by the Hot Tots.

The Hot Tots begin the second half of the season on Tuesday against the St. Cloud Rox. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm CT.