File photo. Hot Tots left fielder Christian Stratis slides into second base at Corbett Field in their home game against the Mankato MoonDogs on Wednesday, July 1. Nathan Beitler/MDN

The Minot Hot Tots entered their away game against the Mankato MoonDogs on Friday night, July 10, with a tied 3-3 record on the second half of the 2026 Northwoods League season.

The Hot Tots went into the game ranked third in the Great Plains West Division behind the St. Cloud Rox, who have already clinched a playoff spot with their winning record in the first half of the season, and the Willmar Stingers. The Stingers entered Friday night with a record of 4-1.

Winning Friday night’s game had the chance to put the Hot Tots on track to a possible play off spot, and they knew that heading into their game in Mankato.

The Hot Tots and the MoonDogs were both slow to start through the early innings of Friday night’s game.

Both teams stayed scoreless until the Hot Tots broke first ground in the top of the fourth with Alex Altmann crossing home plate on an RBI single into center field by Tyler Arnold.

The Hot Tots netted another run in the fourth inning off a sacrifice fly, but they were cut off before they could score any more.

The Hot Tots took down another two runs in the top of the fifth and kept the MoonDogs scoreless clear through to the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Hot Tots had closed out the top of the seventh inning with four runs, ending with a two run RBI.

The Hot Tots were up 8-1 at the close of the seventh inning at deadline.

The Hot Tots will play the MoonDogs in Mankato again on Saturday, July 11, before returning to Corbett Field to face the Duluth Huskies in two games beginning on Sunday, July 12.