By Owen Patterson

MINOT, ND – It may not have fireworks, but it was sure a show to remember on this Independence Day. The Minot Hot Tots burst for 16 runs on 19 hits in a blowout, 16-4 win over the Willmar Stingers on Thursday afternoon.

When Minot and Willmar meet, there is always going to be offense, but on this day, Minot’s offense was the leading example. Beginning in the first inning, the Hot Tots used the help of two hits to score their first two runs on RBI singles by Adrian Dominguez and Blake Penso.

Willmar, who had scored in the top of the first, added two more in the second inning to regain the lead at 3-2. Fast forward to the bottom of the third, the Hot Tots really took off on the scoreboard. Multiple errors by the Stingers defense and timely Hot Tots hits formulated a six-run inning, catapulting Minot to an 8-3 lead.

The bats remained consistent for Minot all day long, tying their season-high in runs and hits by games end.

Individual highlights were everywhere with Anthony Potestio leading the way for the Hot Tot offense, collecting four hits and extending his hit streak to seven games, Blake Penso, in his first game with the team, driving in three runs, Adrian Dominguez putting together his second multi-hit game of the season and Caid Bergthold hitting two doubles.

Starting pitcher Aidan Reichek would go six innings in his start walking three and four more Stingers hitters, but only would allow three runs and earn the win. Reichek was relieved by Evan Dempsey. Dempsey would give up a run for the first time all season in the seventh inning, but that was all.

The victory moves Minot up to 12-24 on the regular season and 1-1 in the second half. The Hot Tots are tied in a large group of first-place teams in the Great Plains West, including their next opponent Bismarck, who visits Corbett Field on Friday night.