The Minot Hot Tots entered the All-Star Break on a high note, defeating in-state rival Bismarck 13-2 behind four home runs on Sunday at Corbett Field.

The Hot Tots (6-8) closed out their final meeting with the Larks this season by claiming the Dakota Dust-Up trophy, winning seven of the 12 meetings. Minot plated at least a run in seven of its eight innings at the plate, including three in the second and fifth innings.

Robbie Demetree delivered Minot’s first home run of the game and first of two on the night for the third baseman to give the Hot Tots an early 4-0 advantage. Henry Allen – who will represent the Hot Tots in the Northwoods League Home Run Challenge this week – hit his league-leading 14th home run of the season in the fifth, a solo shot to left field. Allen also leads the league with 50 RBIs.

Demetree swatted his second homer of the contest in the seventh, a two-run shot to bring around Ethan Reader for a 11-2 lead. Demetree had a game-high six RBIs. Max Ortega joined the home run festivities in the eight with a two-run shot to left.

Minot collected 13 hits – eight extra-base hits. Allen added a triple to go along with his home run and Matt Toomey tripled and doubled. Allen and Reader led the Hot Tots with three hits apiece.

Camden Dimidjian went six innings to pick up his third win of the season. He allowed two runs – one earned – on four hits, striking out three and walking one.

The Hot Tots are off until Friday, where they will travel to take on Willmar at 7:05 p.m.

Honeybees blank

La Crosse

Since having their record-setting winning streak snapped at the hands of La Crosse (Wisc.) on Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader, the Honeybees have made it clear to the Steam that they didn’t appreciate the gesture.

The Honeybees (16-9) shutout the Steam 10-0 on Sunday behind another pitching gem from Julianna Verni in which she allowed just five hits over seven innings, striking out eight in the process. Minot has outscored La Crosse 21-1 since having their winning streak snapped.

Minot clobbered five home runs, two off the bat of Shayna Myshrall and two more from Taylor Chillingworth, who will be joining Allen as part of the Northwoods League Home Run Challenge. Bella Cimino also got in on the home run action with a solo home run, going back-to-back with Myshrall in the seventh inning.

Chillingworth opened the scoring in the second inning with a solo shot to left and Myshrall swatted her first homer of the contest in the third. Chillingworth added her second home run of the contest in the sixth.

Minot’s top four hitters in the lineup combined to go 9-for-14 with three home runs, seven RBIs and seven runs scored. Trinity Gregg was a perfect 4-for-4 with a double and three runs scored. Four Honeybees recorded multi-hit games.

The Honeybees continue their road trip today when they travel to Madison (Wisc.) to take on the Night Mares at 6:05 p.m.