KARI GIBB/MDN Colorado Christian University redshirt sophomore, Skyler Dietz, rounds third for the Minot Honeybees in game one of the Thursday doubleheader at Corbett Field. Dietz was 2-for-3 in the first game and 3-for-4 in the second game. The Honeybees split the two games.

The Minot Honeybees jumped out to a 5-4 lead that lasted for five innings of play late on Thursday evening. The La Crosse Steam took the lead with two runs at the top of the sixth inning and added an additional run at the top of the seventh inning on their way to the 7-6 win to close out the four game stance. La Crosse edged Minot three games to one after the doubleheaders on Wednesday and Thursday.

With one out at the bottom of the first inning, Skyler Dietz singled and Abbie Stigler was hit by a pitch next to place runners on first and second base. Sydney Farmer singled to score Dietz and Shayna Myshrall singled to reload the bases.

Josie Buhr would single next to score Stigler. With two out and bases still loaded, Victoria Flores singled to left to score Farmer and Myshrall. The next batter, Dominique Baker singled to right to score Buhr for the 5-1 lead.

With La Crosse leading 7-5 at the bottom of the seventh inning, Minot went to work to close the gap.

Farmer started the inning with a single to left and Caitlyn Dannenfelzer took the base as a pinch runner. Myshrall then singled to center, was replaced by Trinity Gregg as a pinch runner, and both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Buhr for the first out.

Jackie Albrecht hit into a fielder’s choice to score Dannenfelzer for the final score of 7-6 in the game.

Minot was 10-for-33 at the plate. Dietz was 3-for-4 and has a season average of .345 batting. Myshrall and Farmer were each 2-for-4 at the plate and Farmer is averaging .385 on the season. Stigler, Flores and Baker each added a hit with Baker leading the team with a 3.93 batting average on the season.

Payton Whitehead pitched three innings and allowed four runs on four hits and walked three batters. Kierra Fournier pitched three innings and allowed three runs on five hits, had one strikeout and allowed one home run. Albrecht pitched one inning and walked two batters and recorded two strikeouts in relief.

La Crosse was 9-for-30 batting with two team errors in the game. Teagan Graul was 2-for-3 at the plate with one RBI and scored two runs. Rachel Mori pitched two innings and allowed five runs on six hits. Sydney Schott pitched three innings and allowed only one hit. Alexis Watson pitched two innings and allowed one run on three hits in relief.

Minot will be in action with games on the road in Madison against the hosting Night Mares on Sunday, July 14, and Monday, July 15, before returning home to host the Mankato Habaneros on Thursday, July 18, at Corbett Field.