Wednesday night’s event let spectators bring their furry friends to watch the game at Corbett Field. The team helped raise funds for the Souris Valley Animal Shelter through their Miracle Minute and 50/50 Raffle. A portion of ticket sales sold with the Souris Valley Animal Shelter’s promo code were donated to the shelter.

The Honeybees also wore specialty uniforms featuring pictures of fans’ dogs that were auctioned off at the end of the game.

The Ignite out of Wausau, WI took an early lead during the first inning of the game. The Ignite’s Mia Johnson hit a three run home run for the first three runs of the game off of Honeybees’ starting pitcher Ashleigh Heiderscheit. It was one of only two hits given up by Heiderscheit during the top of the first.

The Honeybee’s Virginia Mambelli was the first to put the team on the board during Wednesday night’s home game with a double into center field to bring Carly Cummings home from second base. The Honeybees were unable to score for the rest of the inning, but the game was far from over.

Julianna Verni switched into the circle for the Honeybees after Heiderscheit saw her ninth batter of the night during the top of the second inning. Verni and the Honeybees defense were able to keep a lid on the Ignite’s offense, allowing no runs scored in the half.

The Honeybees were two outs down in the bottom of the second when Virginia Mambelli stepped up to the plate with bases loaded. The Ignite’s pitcher threw two balls before Mambelli hit a three run RBI triple into center field to give Minot a one-run lead. Shayna Myshrall hit a single into left field during the very next at bat to allow Mambelli to score and give the Honeybees a comfortable two-run lead before the end of the inning.

Mia Johnson once again brought the Ignite out in front of the Honeybees with her second three-run home run of the night in as many at bats. The Ignite were able to take the lead back by just one run before a putout at first base ended the half.

Trinity Gregg was able to even the odds for the Honeybees in the bottom of the third. With two outs already on the board, Gregg barely beat the throw to first and allowed Makenna Alexander to run home and tie the game. Gregg was caught stealing during the next at bat, leaving a 6-6 tied game at the end of the third.

The Honeybees allowed only one hit and no runs in the top of the fourth inning. Leading off for the Honeybees, Virginia Mambelli once again stepped into the batter’s box in the bottom of the inning. Mambelli had a 3-1 count when the perfect pitch came over the plate. She made direct contact with the ball and launched it right over the right field fence for a one-run home run to put the Honeybees back in the lead. She did not know it at the time, but that home run would secure victory for the Honeybees and complete their at-home sweep against the Ignite.

Neither the Honeybees nor the Ignite scored a single run during the rest of the game after Mambelli’s home run. The game ended after the top of the seventh giving Minot the 4-0 series record versus the Ignite.

The Honeybees will get to enjoy a short break before heading to La Crosse, WI to take on the Steam in a double header this Saturday, July 12. The Honeybees will next be at Corbett Field, also taking on the La Crosse Steam beginning Thursday, July 17.