It was worth the wait. The Minot Hot Tots claimed victory for the first time this summer with a 3-1 defeat of the Bismarck Larks. It also marked the first win for Brian Lewis as field manager of the Hot Tots.

As always, it started with pitching for Minot. Kahler Key was in a zone on Tuesday night. The right-handed pitcher from St. Cloud State diced up the Larks over seven innings, striking out five while allowing just two hits and one run. Key set the Hot Tots up for success with his quality start, Minot just needed some offense.

And offense they would get. Max Ortega, in his first game and first at-bat as a Hot Tot, crushed a solo home run in the second inning to tie the game 1-1. The following inning at the plate, Henry Allen left the yard as well for his third round-tripper of the summer. Allen’s home runs gave Minot the lead, 2-1. The score would hold until the eighth when Allen brought in his second RBI, scoring Braden Booth from third on a sacrifice fly.

With the Hot Tots leading 3-1, manager Brian Lewis turned to the bullpen to get the final six outs. Nolan Girard handled the bottom of the eighth inning with ease, retiring the side. In the ninth, Kevin Schoneboom got his chance to close out a game and made the most of it. Schoneboom stranded a runner in scoring position while nailing down the save.

Minot was able to celebrate their first Skydancer Casino Win of the season, but the focus quickly shifts to tomorrow night’s game when the Hot Tots go for the series sweep. First pitch from Bismarck at 6:35 pm CT. Follow along on NWL+.

Max Ortega’s home run was the First Command Play of the Game, Kevin Schoneboom’s 92 mph heater was the SRT Fastest Pitch and the Hot Tots drew two Buffalo Wild Wings Walks.