SIOUX CITY WITH ANOTHER NINTH INNING STUNNER
Explorers Tally Four Runs in Final Frame
Fargo, ND (July 26th, 2022) – After notching a come from behind win in Milwaukee on Sunday, the X’s repeated the process in the series opener against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks by scoring four runs in the top of the ninth to win 8-6-
The teams traded runs in the early going. Fargo jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a Peter Maris double.
Sioux City took 3-1 lead in the second when a Zack Kone double cleared the bases.
Fargo tied it at three in the third on a Maris two run homer.
Both starters ended up dueling to no decisions. Kevin McCanna for the X’s went six and two-thirds and surrendered three earned runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and a walk.
Kevin McGovern allowed four runs on eight hits across six and one-third innings with two strikeouts and three walks.
The fourth run that scored on McGovern came in the fifth when Danny Amaral tripled to right field and subsequently scored on a Blake Tiberi single, giving Sioux City a 4-3 lead.
After each team squandered a couple of chances to add to the lead, or take it the RedHawks finally cashed in on a chance in the eighth. Sam Dexter singled home a pair to give the RedHawks the lead 5-4 heading to the ninth.
In the top of the ninth, Danny Amaral was hit by a pitch with one out and narrowly stole second and third. With the X’s down to their final strike Danry Vasquez singled to right field to tie the game 5-5.
Sebastian Zawada gave Sioux City the lead with his third hit of the game, a double to right field, and then scored on a Nate Samson single to put Sioux City on top 8-5.
Brandon Brosher (1-1) picked up the win in relief, and Alex Dubord (1-1) was handed the loss.
Thomas McIlraith (13) locked down the save with a couple of strikeouts in the ninth. Maris hit his second home run of the game to give the contest its final score of 8-6-
The second game of the series will be played on Wednesday from Newman Outdoor Field at 7:02 pm. It’s a lefty on lefty matchup as Tom Windle (3-2, 3.67) gets the ball for the Explorers and Tyler Grauer (7-3, 2.83) opposes him for Fargo-Moorhead.