Adam Papin/MDN Hot Tots’ right fielder Brannon Mondragon (#2) receives a high five from teammate Evan Valencia after Mondragon hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning Wednesday night.

Good teams find ways to win, and last night the Minot Hot Tots saw the best in the Northwoods League find a way to win, as the Wilmar Stingers erased a two-run deficit with two outs in the top of the ninth, pulling out a 4-3 victory.

With only one out left and trailing 3-2, the Stingers loaded the bases, and then Drey Dirksen hit a two-run single to center field, scoring Jack Hines and Grayson Tarlow for the winning runs.

After dropping two games of a doubleheader by a combined score of 24-4 on Tuesday, the Hot Tots played an all-around better game yesterday, capped by Brannon Mondragon’s two-run blast in the first inning to put Minot on top 2-1.

The Stingers answered right back in the top of the second though when Kasen Furr scored on a single by Hines.

That’s where the score remained until the bottom of the eighth inning. With Karson Evans up to bat, Damone Hale stole third base, and then came around to score the go ahead run on a sacrifice fly by Evans.

Ultimately, it wouldn’t be enough though.

Trevyn Badger took the loss for Minot giving up two runs on two hits over 2 2/3 innings of play. He struck out two. Gavin Schmitt got the start for the Hot Tots. He gave up two runs and five hits across four innings of work. Gage Yost and Saul Soto also saw work for Minot.

Chris Rofe picked up the win for the Stingers. He allowed one run on one hit across three innings of work. Willmar starter Ray Cebulski went six innings, allowing two runs on five hits, while striking out six and walking one.

“It’s about the way we’re going about our business,” said Minot head coach Mitch Gallagher, when asked what the team needs to do to win. “The way we take the field, the way we throw the ball around is getting very lethargic. I think cleaning that up and having a little more presence, a little more energy when we’re playing the game is going to clean up a lot.”

The loss drops Minot to 5-17 on the season, falling to 13 games behind first-place Willmar. The Stingers improve to 18-4 on the year.

The Hot Tots travel to Bismarck tonight for the inaugural game in the Dakota Dust-Up Rivalry. Tonight’s game will be available to watch on ESPNU, and it can be streamed on the Northwoods League app.

The Hot Tots and Larks will play a home and away series against each other, with game two taking place at Corbett Field on Friday night, when the Hot Tots will honor the men and women who serve, as the team hosts Military Appreciation Night. Minot will be wearing special digital camo jerseys for the game.

Limited tickets are available for Friday night’s matchup.