Nathan Beitler/MDN Minot’s Virginia Mambelli (right) celebrates at home plate with her teammates after a one-run home run during the Honeybee’s July 9 home game versus the Wausau Ignite. The Honeybees only need one more win to make it to this season’s playoffs.

The Minot Honeybees are just one win away from making it to the playoffs for the 2025 Northwoods League Softball season.

The Honeybees are entering their last series of the regular season with a record of 21-18. The Mankato won their July 30 game against the La Crosse Steam, meaning the Honeybees must win one of their games against the league’s number one team, the Madison Night Mares, in order to secure their spot in the playoffs for the 2025 season. A loss for Mankato would have clinched the playoff spot for Minot.

The Honeybees will take on the Night Mares at home at Corbett Field July 31 and August 1. The Night Mares are the league leaders going into the July 31-August 1 series with a record of 32-7. Madison has already secured their spot in this year’s playoffs. The first game of the series will begin on July 31 at 6:35 p.m. at Corbett Field. The teams will then compete at 5:35 p.m. and 8:05 p.m. in a double header August 1. If the Honeybees can take just one win over the league leaders, they will be set for the playoffs.

The Honeybees are on a two-game winning streak after winning their series against the Wausau Ignite July 27-29.