After a 7-2 win in the early game of a rare day-night, double-opponent doubleheader, the Explorers followed the Missouri River upstream to Yankton, SD, where they fell to the Sioux Falls Canaries by the score of 10-5.
Despite the loss, there were some major positives to take out of tonight’s contest. Vince Fernandez cranked a two-run homer, his first of the spring and Daniel Pérez recorded his first RBI in an Explorers uniform as well on a run-scoring triple. In relief, Kent Hasler and Sean Rackoski both recorded scoreless outings on the mound, while stalwart reliever Nate Gercken pitched his first frames of the spring.
However, a four-run second inning by the Canaries put Sioux Falls out ahead early, a lead they would not relinquish. Aided by home runs from Hunter Clenin and Jabari Henry, Sioux Falls took care of business with runners in scoring position all night, which the Explorers failed to do when they stranded a pair of leadoff walks in the top of the first. The Explorers are set to play their final home game of Spring Training tomorrow afternoon against Fargo-Moorhead, with first pitch slated for 1:05.