File photo. Minot Honeybees Nadia Andarowski pitches from the pitcher's circle in the Honeybees' home game against the Grand Forks Spitfires on Wednesday, July 8. Andarowski closed out the game for the Honeybees in the pitcher's circle in their Thursday night victory over the Spitfires on July 9. Nathan Beitler/MDN

The Minot Honeybees faced off against the Grand Fork Spitfires for the final game of their four game series at home on Thursday, July 9.

Coming off the back of a nine game skid and facing their second series in a row being swept by opponents, Thursday night’s game looked like it was going to be another tough match for the Honeybees.

The Spitfires scored two runs in the first inning, and while the Honeybees scored a run of their own in the bottom of the first, Grand Forks quickly widened their lead to 5-1 by the bottom of the third inning.

The Honeybees continued to struggle at the plate, earning no runs through the rest of the first four innings.

It the top of the fifth, the Spitfires pulled ahead yet again, netting four additional runs, driving them to a 9-1 lead. The Honeybees earned their second run of the night in the bottom of the fifth, bringing their deficit to seven runs heading into the sixth inning.

The sixth was just one of two scoreless halves for the Spitfires at that point in the game, but with Grand Forks subbing in a new pitcher in the bottom of the inning, the Honeybees finally found their footing at the plate.

One hit by pitch and two walks loaded the bases for Ellen Tarjan as she stepped up to the plate. With just one out on the board, Tarjan rocked the ball into left field, sending Sara Simon home on an RBI single.

Sarah Misner quickly followed up on the next at bat with another RBI single to bring Cayden Thomas home from third base.

Sophia Brennan drew a walk on the next at bat, bringing home Alyssa DeMaio from loaded bases.

At bat after at bat through the rest of the bottom of the sixth, at least one Honeybees crossed home plate.

The inning finally ended during Sara Simon’s second at bat of the inning, where Clare Rettler and Jill Halas scored on wild pitches before Simone was finally struck out.

Through the half of the inning, the Honeybees scored eight total runs, more than the entirety of their last two games combined.

The Honeybees’ hot streak at the plate put them at a 10-9 lead over the Spitfires heading into the last inning.

The Spitfires put up just three batters in the top of the seventh, with the Honeybees defense earning the out on each one, retiring the game at a 10-9 victory on the night.

The Honeybees’ victory on Thursday was their first since they last beat the Spitfires 13-9 on Wednesday, June 24. Their victory broke their nine game losing streak and prevented a sweep by Grand Forks.

The Honeybees will take a short break from play before returning to Corbett Field for their series against the La Crosse Steam beginning on Tuesday, July 14.