Hot Tots second baseman Kole Dudding fields the ball to first base during the Hot Tots' Military Appreciation Night against the Badlands Big Sticks at home on Thursday, July 2. Nathan Beitler/MDN

The Minot Hot Tots began their three day celebration of America 250 on Thursday night, July 2, with their yearly Military Appreciation Night at Corbett Field.

The night began with a fly over from Minot Air Force Base and the unfurling of a giant American flag.

The Hot Tots played against their Battle of the Badlands rivals, the Badlands Big Sticks.

The Big Sticks and the Hot Tots have come face to face eight times already this season, with the Tots winning just two of those match ups.

The Big Sticks were the first on the board on Thursday night, securing a single run on an RBI double in the top of the first inning.

They kept up the pressure in the top of the third, earning three additional runs before the Hot Tots could cross home plate.

Colton Kirkham was the first Hot Tot to cross hoe plate on Thursday, making the run home after an RBI double by Sohrab Rezaei sent the ball clear into center field.

The Big Sticks drew one more run in the top of the sixth inning with a stolen base home, but the Hot Tots were able to chip away at their deficit with another two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Big Sticks brought their lead up to 6-3 before the Hot Tots had an explosive at bat in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Tots sent five runners across home plate in the seventh inning to give themselves their first lead of the game at 8-6.

Both teams drew an extra run in the eighth inning at deadline.

The Hot Tots will play the Badlands Big Sticks once more on Friday, July 3, to close out their two game series before facing the Willmar Stingers for their Fourth of July game on Saturday.