712.277.WINS (9467)

The Sioux City Explorers sent the crowd home happy allowing only one run to the Canaries while plating twelve of their own to win 12-1 at Lewis and Clark Park. 

Sioux City plated the first run of the game early, off a solo home run by former Minnesota Twin and X’s first baseman Rene Tosoni in the bottom of the first. In the second, Noah Perio Jr reached first on a hit by pitch, advanced to third on a single by Ryan Court, and later scored on a fielders choice to extend the lead by two. Later in the inning, a Tim Colwell base hit knocked in Court from third base to make it 3-0 after two innings. 

In the bottom half of the third, Brock Kjeldgaard worked up a lead-off walk to start the inning and later advanced to second on a single by Noah Perio Jr. Both runners advanced a base on a sacrifice bunt and then scored off a two run double by X’s third baseman Tommy Mendonca. 

In the fourth, Sioux Falls plated their first run of the game. Canaries shortstop Jerome Pena led-off with a single, stole second base, and later scored off a Richard Stock RBI single. Sioux City went on to match the Canaries run in the bottom half of the inning of a sac-fly RBI by Noah Perio Jr. 

In the sixth, the Explorers sent nine runs to the plate, putting four more runs on the board to give them a 10-1 lead after six. Sioux City went on two score two more runs in the eighth making it 12-1, which would go on to be the final score of the game. 

Explorers starter Patrick Johnson (5-0) went the distance Friday night, allowing only one run on five hits while recording a season high ten strikeouts in nine innings pitched. Left-hander Joe Bircher (2-3) was charged with the loss giving up five runs (four-earned), on six hits in 2.1 innings pitched. 

The bats were on fire for Sioux City with eight of the nine hitters in the lineup getting a hit. Explorers second baseman Ryan Court had himself a three hit game along with two runs scored, while Tommy Mendonca stood out recording two hits, three RBIs, a double and two runs scored. 

The Explorers will play game two of their three game series with Sioux Falls on the fourth of July,  first pitch - 7:05. For 2015 ticket information at Lewis and Clark Park, call (712) 277-WINS or visit the X’s website at www.xsbaseball.com