FARGO, North Dakota — The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks cinched the series win against the Winnipeg Goldeyes thanks to a crucial third inning and a strong performance from starting pitching.

For the first time in this series, the RedHawks were first to score in the ballgame as Dillon Thomas sliced a single to score Evan Alexander from second. Correlle Prime would follow with a two-run home run over the left field wall to give the RedHawks a quick 3-0 lead.

Fargo-Moorhead would continue the inning’s momentum as John Silviano singled to right field, Leo Pina doubled to left field and Ben Livorsi drew a walk. It was then when Sam Dexter doubled to left field, scoring two runs to give Fargo-Moorhead a 5-0 lead after three innings.

After two quick outs in the top of the seventh inning, Winnipeg would start to scratch back with a double to left field followed up by a two-run home run to cut the difference to three runs.

Tyler Grauer was on the bump to start the game against the Goldeyes, and he spent no time putting his defense to work. 19 of his 21 recorded outs were from a ball put in play. His night ended after giving up two hits in the top of the eighth inning with the book closing on him at the end of the inning pitching seven innings, giving up three runs off six hits while striking out two. Reza Aleaziz came onto relief for Grauer and would limit the damage to one run after forcing a couple of groundouts to end the inning.

Reid Birlingmair would run into some trouble when he came in to close the game in the top of the ninth inning as Goldeyes’ batters would put a run across the plate thanks to a double to center field and a base hit to left. He would close it out with the help of a couple of groundouts to bring the game to its 5-4 final score.

With the win, Fargo-Moorhead improvs to a 4-2 record, putting them one game back of the Sioux City Explorers in the American Association West Division.

Fargo-Moorhead now hit the road for their first road trip of the season, traveling to three cities in 12 days. The RedHawks will first travel to Impact Field to take on the Chicago Dogs in a three game series beginning on Friday, May 19.