SIOUX CITY EXPLORERS PRESS RELEASE
Phone: 817.739.3693
Website: xsbaseball.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2026
SIOUX CITY TRAVELS 600 MILES, TAKES SERIES OPENER 5–2
WILLEMAN TOSSES QUALITY START
By: Andrew Della Piana
FARGO, ND – Sioux City (30–35) traveled more than 600 miles overnight, but opened its series in Fargo with a 5–2 victory over Fargo-Moorhead (34-31) on Friday night.
Steve Montgomery praised his team’s resilience following the win, “…great response by the gentlemen in that locker room after arriving this morning at 10:30,” Montgomery said. “When you’re grinding this hard, it’s because we believe in each other, and we bring that belief every night.”
The Explorers struck first in the second inning after Jackson Van De Brake rolled a single up the middle to score Alberto Osuna, giving Sioux City a 1–0 lead.
Fargo threatened in the third with runners at the corners and one out, but Juan Fernandez grounded into an inning‑ending double play to keep the Explorers in front.
Sioux City broke the game open in the fourth.
With two outs, Dillon Tatum lined a two‑run single to center, scoring D’Shawn Knowles and Osuna for a 3–0 lead. On the next pitch, Austin Davis doubled down the left‑field line, bringing Tatum all the way from first to make it 4–0.
Fargo answered in the fifth. Fernandez singled home Aidan Byrne, and Dillon Thomas lifted a sacrifice fly to right to score Jesus Lujano, trimming the lead to 4–2.
The X’s added insurance in the seventh when Henry George doubled to right, scoring Zac Vooletich to push the margin to 5–2.
On the mound, Zach Willeman delivered one of his best outings of the season.
After entering the night 0–2 in July with 17 earned runs in 21.1 innings, he responded with seven innings, allowing just four hits, two earned runs, and striking out five for a strong finish to the month on the eve of August.
Kelvin Caceres and Trey Morrill combined for two scoreless innings, sealing Sioux City’s series‑opening win.
Sioux City continues the three‑game series at Fargo-Moorhead on Saturday. First pitch is at 6:00 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 5:30 p.m. on KSCJ 94.9 FM and 1360 AM. Fans can also watch every American Association game this season on the league’s streaming platform at aabaseball.tv. Tickets for all remaining games are available now by calling the Explorers front office at 712-277-WINS or online at xsbaseball.com.
Notes from the Booth with DV:
-Jackson Van De Brake reached base for the 26 straight game with a double.
-The X’s are finished 11-13 in July.
-The X’s were three for three in stolen bases and how have 195.
-Zach Willeman matched a season high in innings with seven.
-Willeman passed Rob Wort for ninth all-time in club history.
-Austin Davis is nine away from breaking the record he set last season in single season stolen bases.
–ABOUT THE SIOUX CITY EXPLORERS: The Sioux City Explorers are a proud member of the American Association of Professional Baseball in Sioux City, IA. The Explorers play their home games at Security National Bank Field at Lewis & Clark Park. For more information, please visit xsbaseball.com and follow the team on Twitter at @SiouxCityXs and on Facebook at facebook.com/SiouxCityExplorers.
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