The Minot Honeybees scored nine runs total during a three-game sweep at the hands of the Madison Night Mares over the weekend.

The Honeybees scored 16 runs alone in their series-opener against the La Crosse Steam. Minot hit three home runs and put up nine runs in the fourth inning in a 16-5 victory over La Crosse in five innings on Monday, June 15, at Copeland Park. The Honeybees recorded 15 hits to snap a three-game losing streak.

Olivia Hernandez, Sara Simon and Clare Rettler all went deep in Minot’s best offensive showing so far this season. The Honeybees’ previous high was 14 runs against Grand Forks.

Hernandez’s homer put the Honeybees (2-4) on the board in the second inning, launching a two-run home run off of La Crosse starting pitcher Josie Brudos for a 2-0 lead. It was Hernandez’s first home run of the season.

The Steam (4-2) came back with three runs in the bottom half to take the lead before the Honeybees took command with a nine-run fourth. Minot loaded the bases with no outs and Ellen Tarjan brought in Simon with an RBI single to center. Jill Halas followed with an RBI single to left and Rettler picked up her first RBI of the game with a single to third.

Back-to-back walks to Sophia Brennan and Bridget Chapman with the bases loaded led to two more runs before Simon cleared the bases with a grand slam to left. Siimon finished 3-for-4 with a home run, double and five RBIs. Through six games this season, Simon leads the Honeybees in every major statistical category. She is batting .550 with 11 total hits, including three home runs and two doubles. Simon has 14 RBIs and nine runs scored.

The Honeybees added five more runs in the fifth to enact the mercy rule. Rettler hit her first home run of the season with a two-run shot on the first pitch of the at-bat. Hernandez plated two with a double to center later in the inning.

Nine Honeybees recorded a hit. Rettler, Hernandez, Simon and Halas had multi-hit games. Simon, Rettler and Hernandez combined to drive in 12 runs.

Former Honeybee Trinity Gregg finished 2-for-2 with a home run, two RBIs and a run scored for the Steam.

Nadia Andarowski picked up her first win of the season in the circle. In 3 1/3 innings of relief, Andarowski allowed two runs on two hits, striking out four and walking three.

The two teams continue their series on Tuesday, June 16, at 6:35 p.m.