SIOUX CITY EXPLORERS PRESS RELEASE
Phone: 817.739.3693
Website: xsbaseball.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2023
By GMW Vaughan
EXPLORERS MAUL DOGS
EIGHT RUN NINE SEALS WIN
LINCOLN, NE—After almost a one-hour rain delay, the Lincoln Saltdogs (13-17) came out barking early with a towering first-shot triple to left field from Zane Zurbrugg off X’s starter Trenton Toplikar (0-0), but the sun came out for the Explorers (15-17) as their defense kept the Dogs leashed as they win the first game of the three-game series, 8-1.
Daniel Perez’s lead-off double off Abdallah Aris in the top of the third, followed by a spectacular bunt that fell flat at the feet of Saltdogs catcher Zack Miller moved Perez to third. Jake Ortega’s single allowed the Explorers to strike first, taking the lead 1-0 in the third.
Zack Miller led off for the Dogs in the home half of the third with a double, and a bobble of Drew Devine’s single by Miguel Sierra put the Saltdogs on the corners. Devine then broke free, stealing second and bringing runners to second and third, but Nick Anderson’s pop fly caught by Chase Harris put the Dogs back in the doghouse to end the third.
The Explorers threatened in the top of the fifth after a walk for Miguel Sierra that Chase Harris followed with a double to left field that saw Sierra round third, but Sierra got tagged out at home plate, keeping the score 1-0.
Nate Sampson led off the home half of the fifth for the “Saltys” with a double that soared over the head of Chase Harris. Then Zurbrugg’s base hit scored Sampson, tying the game 1-1.
Nate Gercken relieved Toplikar in the bottom of the sixth, but a hit-by-a-pitch for Yanio Perez allowed him to reach base, then a line shot to center by Will Kengor put Saltdogs runners at the corners. Matt Goodheart followed with a walk, loading the bases, but a double play ball sent the Dogs back to the dugout without grabbing a lead, the game remaining tied 1-1.
Wilfredo Gimenez led off the seventh inning with a walk, followed by a long shot to right off the wall that put Jack Kelly on second and Gimenez on third. A sac-fly to center by Delvin Zinn scored Gimenez, and the Explorers fetched the lead 2-1. After a Miguel Sierra walk, Nic Laio took over on the mound for Lincoln and stopped the X’s offensive rally.
Carlos Diaz took the bump for the Explorers in the seventh, shutting down the Dogs, but the Dogs followed suit, keeping the Explorers from a rally in the eighth.
Kent Hasler came in for Diaz in the eighth and sat the Saltdogs down in order as the Explorers headed into the ninth inning with the lead 2-1.
The ninth inning proved explosive for the Explorers as Wilfredo Gimenez led off the ninth with a single off Laio, followed by a walk for Delvin Zinn and a single for Daniel Perez after a favorable bounce for the X’s. Miguel Sierra doubled, scoring Gimenez and Zinn, extending the lead to 4-1. Chase Harris reached on a two-base error by the Saltdogs shortstop Devine that scored Perez and Sierra, adding to the X’s lead, 6-1. Jake Ortega walked as the Saltdogs looked to RHP Carson Lance to keep the X’s from doing more damage, but the X’s kept the Dogs in a stay. John Nogowski singled with runners on first and second, but Sampson stumbled only tagging out Ortega but keeping runners on the corners for the X’s. Nagowski stole second, putting runners at second and third. Vince Fernandez singled, scoring Harris and Nogowski, ending the inning with a commanding lead, 8-1.
Last call for the Saltdogs brought Luis Madero to the mound for the X’s as he sent the Saltdogs to the Clubhouse with their tails between their legs. Nate Gercken (1-2) secured the win for the Explorers and Abdullah Aris (2-1) the loss for Lincoln.
The Explorers continue the nine-game trip with game two of the three-game series Saturday night. Game time is set for 6:05 from Haymarket Park. Sioux City returns home Tuesday, June 27 for the first game of a three-game series with the Sioux Falls Canaries. Tickets for the season can be purchased online at XSBaseball.com, in person at the Lewis and Clark Park Box Office or by calling 712-277-WINS. You can catch all the X’s action on aabaseball.tv and on radio at KSCJ 94.9 FM and 1360 AM.