Published On: July 11th, 2025

Following a two-run top of the first, the Minot Hot Tots were in control of the series-opener against the Mankato MoonDogs on Thursday night. However, by the time a long night of baseball ended, it was Mankato rushing the field in celebration. The MoonDogs walked-off game one, 10-9.

 

Max Ortega delivered early in the game for Minot, roping an RBI double into right field for the game’s first score. Ortega would come around to score in the inning as well to make the score 2-0 Tots.

 

Minot would put up a number in each of the next three innings to build a 6-1 advantage. Starting pitcher CJ Hanson was comfortable, striking out five batters over four innings. In the fifth, Hanson suffered a small hiccup, giving up two free bases and a run-scoring single. Hanson would leave after allowing his fifth run with two outs in the fifth inning.

 

With the game now decided by one run in favor of the Tots, Minot needed some extra insurance. Blake Cavill got a base-hit through the infield, scoring TJ Stottlemyre. Minot would leave the bases that inning and go to the seventh up 7-5. 

 

Back-to-back RBI hits by Jacob Pearl and Henry Allen in the top of the seventh would put the Tots ahead by four, but back came the MoonDogs after the stretch.

 

Mankato plated one run in their seventh inning at the plate and another in the eighth. Mankato’s bullpen had the Hot Tots stuck at nine runs, so Minot went into the final half inning holding a 9-7 lead.

 

Braedon Davis, in his second inning of work for the Hot Tots, walked the bases loaded and would eventually walk in a run. Davis was pulled, putting new pitcher Kevin Rahe in a bases-juiced, one out jam. Minot got the second out at home and kept the score 9-8. Adrian Beltre Jr. stepped up for the MoonDogs in the dream situation for any ballplayer. Beltre hit a fly ball to right field, but Jacob Pearl couldn’t make up the ground. The ball dropped and two runs scored. Celebration ensued for Mankato as they enjoyed their first walk-off win of the season.

 

Minot can go for the series split in their final game at ISG Field on Friday. First pitch is again scheduled for 6:35 pm CT.