The Minot Hot Tots stuck out 17 times and left seven runners on base in a 7-3 loss to St. Cloud on Friday at Corbett Field in a game that featured 28 combined strikeouts.

Both teams’ starting pitchers and relievers had opposing batters on their heels throughout the contest, as all six pitchers recorded punchouts. Rox starting pitcher JD Dobis fanned six batters over four innings and Hot Tots reliever Jackson Duncan matched Dobis’ output across four innings of work as well.

St. Cloud relievers John Hughes and Carter Stanford combined for nine strikeouts over the next four innings and Eric Lin struck out two of the three batters he faced in the ninth to preserve the victory, sending Minot to its third consecutive loss. The Rox (19-5) stretched their winning streak to three games while remaining unbeaten against the Hot Tots in six meetings thus far this season.

The Hot Tots (5-21) led through the first four innings of the contest, jumping out to a 2-1 advantage after the opening frame. Christian Stratis drove in Jacob Pearl from first on a double to left field before Stratis came around to score two batters later on an RBI single to center by Matt Toomey. But the Rox pitched themself out of trouble with runners on the corners and one out by striking out Makai Susor and Zach Doyle to end the threat.

The Rox took the lead in the fifth thanks in part to the long ball. Nolan Geislinger led off the inning with a solo shot to right field and Dominic Smaldino launched his second home run in as many games – a two-run homer to left to put St. Cloud in front 4-2.

Both teams exchanged runs in the seventh and St. Cloud added some cushion in the ninth when Brady Ballinger connected on a two-run home run.

The Hot Tots left seven runners on base and five in scoring position. Minot put runners on the corners with two outs in the seventh, but Stanford came on in relief and fanned Bryson Webb to get out of the inning. In the eighth, the Hot Tots had a runner on second with one out, but Susor and Doyle went down on strikes.

Dobis picked up his first win of the season for the Rox, tossing 4 innings, allowing two runs on three hits. Braden Booth suffered the loss for the Hot Tots. In five innings of work, Booth allowed four runs – three earned – while striking out five.

Minot and St. Cloud meet again tonight at 6:35 p.m. at Corbett Field.