The Minot Hot Tots opened their series against the Duluth Huskies with a 3-2 victory on Thursday, June 11 to move to 9-8 on the season. Nathan Beitler/MDN

The Minot Hot Tots were happy enough just to see an opponent in a different uniform after six straight games against the St. Cloud Rox across two states in the last week.

The Hot Tots were even happier coming away with a victory. Minot withstood a ninth-inning rally to secure a 3-2 victory over the Duluth Huskies on Thursday, June 11.

The Huskies (7-10) loaded the bases with no outs trailing 3-1 in the ninth. Dylan Leoff came into pitch for the Hot Tots and recorded the first out to the first batter he faced, popping up Reagan Reeder. Duluth scratched across a run on an RBI groundout from Jalen Smith. Gabe Jones got hit by a pitch to reload the bases, but Leoff picked up the save by getting Parker Kristall to pop out.

Minot took a 3-1 lead with two runs in the eighth. Andrew Clapinski doubled home Tyler Arnold from second base to put the Hot Tots in front and Chris Daniels added a pivotal third run with a sacrifice fly to score Clapinski.

Duluth got on the board first with an RBI double from Jones, but Minot responded with a run in the fourth when Clapinski singled in Nathan Belle.

Clapinski finished 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, two RBIs and a run scored.

The Hot Tots (9-8) finished with seven hits.

Anthony Cepeda and Jones accounted for four of Duluth’s six hits. The duo combined to go 4-for-6 with three doubles, an RBI and a run scored.

Brady Dockan got the starting nod on the mound for the Hot Tots. He went six innings, allowing one run on six hits, striking out four.

The Hot Tots and Huskies continue their series on Friday, June 12, at 6:35 p.m. at Wade Stadium.