Unlike years past, the Minot Hot Tots were not dealt a home-game heavy early-season schedule. After opening the season with a two-game series at Corbett Field, Minot embarked on a six-game roadtrip through southern Minnesota. That hasn’t stopped the Hot Tots from having their best eight-game start in franchise history at 5-3.

With splits against Willmar and Rochester, the Tots would wrap up their voyage with a series sweep over division rival Mankato on Sunday and Monday nights. Field manager Brian Lewis has high praise for his pitching staff. “We’re getting quality pitching every night out.” His seven-man starting rotation has been sizzling to start the season. Minot’s pitching staff ranks second league-wide and first in the Great Plains with a 3.38 ERA.

The bats may have been the last thing to get off the bus, but a late-game home run from Tyler Arnold in game two against Willmar woke them up. “The offense continually grinds out at-bats until they find a way to push some runs across,” Lewis added. “It’s a gritty bunch of guys that are having a lot of fun playing baseball with each other right now.”

Minot has had to showcase that grittiness each night, because no game has come easy. The Tots’ largest margin of victory is four runs, but all three losses have been by one run. Simply put, the Hot Tots haven’t had a single one of eight games get out of reach.

The Tots ride a three-game win streak back to Corbett Field and will look to add to it with six straight on home turf. Minot will host the Rochester Honkers on Tuesday and Wednesday before welcoming the only team ahead of the Tots in the Great Plains West standings, the St. Cloud Rox for four.

Be a part of this big homestand by being in the crowd. Purchase single-game tickets online at hottotsbaseball.com.