The Minot Hot Tots had their chances, including another ninth-inning rally, but couldn’t get past the Duluth Huskies. Duluth took the series with a game four win, 4-1.

Fans were in for another pitcher’s duel right away. Hot Tot starter Lucas Morici threw three straight scoreless innings. He also had to wait out a 30-minute rain delay before the third inning began. As for the Huskies, Chas Melvin started the game strong with no issues in the first two innings, but he was taken out after the delay in favor of Matt Juza.

The fourth inning saw the first scoring play, an Ethan Surowiec home run to right center. Surowiec’s second home run of the series gave Duluth a 2-0 lead. It was also the Huskies’ first hit against Morici in the contest.

Minot was able to get a few hits and baserunners off the Duluth relievers, but were unable to bring them in. The Tots ended the game with nine runners left on base.

Even after the home run, Morici continued to deal from the mound. The junior from Georgia would go six innings allowing two hits and two runs while striking out seven.

The Huskies were able to time up hard-throwing reliever Kevin Schoneboom in the seventh, going for two runs on three hits and a walk to pull ahead 4-0.

After being shut out for seven innings, the Hot Tots did get a run in the eighth thanks to Christian Stratis. Stratis’ RBI came against Duluth closer Parker Thomas who had yet to allow an earned run all season. The rally would stop at one run for the Hot Tots in the eighth inning, but their next time at the plate would look even more promising.

Will Smoot started off with a single and Anthony Temesvary followed with a double. With no outs and two runners in scoring position, it looked like Minot was on the verge of a successful comeback. Duluth’s pitcher, Thomas, proceeded to strike out the next three batters, letting the baserunners go nowhere, and nailing down the win, 4-1.

The Hot Tots can bounce back at home on Thursday when they begin a four-game series against St. Cloud. First pitch is at 6:35 pm CT.

With his two hits allowed through six innings, Lucas Morici was named SportClips MVP and his seven strikeouts were the First Command Plays of the Game. Kevin Schoneboom hit 90 mph with his fastball for the SRT Fastest Pitch. As for Buffalo Wild Wings Walks, the Hot Tots drew just two.