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Blake Tiberi Hits Walkoff Double In Tenth

By: Will Glocker

Sioux City, Iowa (June 15, 2022) - A tenth inning walkoff double off the bat of Blake Tiberi propelled the Sioux City Explorers to a 7-6 win over the Kansas City Monarchs. 

The Monarchs started the scoring in the first with two runs. Matt Adams singled home Darnell Sweeney and then later David Thompson singled to score Kevin Santa and take a 2-0 lead.

Sioux City got a run back in the bottom of the inning. Ademar Rifaela singled to score Chase Harris cutting the deficit to 2-1. 

Casey Gillaspie led off the second with a solo homer making it a 3-1 game. But the X’s responded to that with a home run of their own in the third, a two-run shot off the bat of Ademar Rifaela. His first with the X’s tied the game 3-3. 

The score remained tied as both starting pitchers dueled to a relative draw. 

Monarchs starter, Jon Harris went five and two-thirds allowing three runs on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts. 

Tyler Beardsley who got the ball for the Explorers. Went six innings strong and allowed four runs on nine hits, fanned five and walked none. 

In the sixth Kansas City took the lead again on a Casey Gillaspie RBI double. Adams who was running on the pitch from first on a full count with two outs scored to give Kansas City a 4-3 lead. 

They added to their lead in the seventh with a two run single from Kevin Santa and Kansas City went ahead 6-3. 

Sioux City mounted a comeback in the bottom of the eighth. Three walks in the frame set up the rally. Blake Tiberi singled with two outs to drive home a run and make it 6-4. A two out Chase Harris single brought home the tying runs knotting the game 6-6. 

In the ninth both teams got the go ahead run or the winning run to third but were unable to push the run across. 

In the tenth, Kansas City loaded the bases with one out but failed to score. Picking up the win for Sioux City was Thomas McIlraith (2-1) who produced two scoreless and hitless innings over 42 pitches with three walks and two strikeouts. 

In the tenth, with the automatic runner at second, Blake Tiberi smacked a double to left center to drive home Trey Martin and give the Explorers a 7-6 win.

Sioux City will now aim for the sweep on Thursday at 7:05 pm. Taking the bump for the Explorers will be lefty Patrick Ledet (1-0, 2.79). Kansas City has yet to name a starter.