Hot Tots pitcher Jaden Davis (center) turns to try and beat a Bismarck Larks batter with a throw to first base at Corbett Field on Tuesday evening, June 23. Nathan Beitler

The Minot Hot Tots came into their home game on Tuesday night, June 23, off the back of a much needed win against the Bismarck Larks. The Hot Tots and the Larks played their first in a two game series in Bismarck on Monday, June 22, with a decisive victory for Minot at 9-3. Though Minot led early in the night, the Larks were quick to respond through the entire night.

The Hot Tots got the ball rolling with a small early lead in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI triple into right field by Andrew Clapinski that brought Caleb Gipson home.

The Hot Tots kept their 1-0 lead clear through to the top of the third inning, where the Larks put four runs up on the board with a combination of RBIs and walks on loaded bases.

The Hot Tots were able to secure the third out of the top with a strike out.

The Hot Tots were unable to respond in the bottom of the third, and the Larks grew their lead by one to 1-5 in the top of the fourth.

Tyler Arnold was the second Tot to score on Tuesday night, running all the way home from first base off of an RBI double by Chris Daniels.

The Hot Tots were cut short in the bottom of the fourth, but they scored an additional run in the bottom of the fifth and earned three runs in the bottom of the sixth, giving them back the lead at 6-4.

The lead traded places once again in the top of the seventh inning, when another explosive at bat for the Larks gave them four additional runs, leading at 6-9 before the Hot Tots could shut them down.

The Larks’ late scoring run was quickly compounded in the top of the ninth inning, where they scored an additional two runs while keeping Minot from reaching home base.

The game ended after the bottom of the ninth with the Larks taking home the victory at 11-6, splitting the two games series between the in state rivals.

The Hot Tots will stay in town for their next game, taking on the Willmar Stingers fir the second time this season after splitting their late May double header at the beginning of the season.