News

In the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks’ first 19 seasons, many players became household names to the region’s baseball fans. To celebrate the franchise’s 20th season in 2015, the RedHawks are bringing several players back to the stadium this season for Flashback Fridays, sponsored by First International Bank & Trust.

Every Friday night this season, the RedHawks will welcome back some of the best players to ever don a RedHawks uniform. The players will throw out a ceremonial first pitch, sign autographs and interact with fans. The preliminary line-up for Flashback Fridays, presented by First International Bank & Trust, is below:

DATE NAME POSITION YEARS PLAYED

June 5 Chad Akers Shortstop 1996-1998 Jeremiah Piepkorn Infield/Outfield 2008-2010, 2013 Steve Hine 2nd Base 1998-99

June 19 Greg Salvevold Pitcher 1997-2003

June 26 Chris Coste Catcher 1996-1999 Jake Laber Pitcher 2008, 2010-2014

July 10 Jesse Hoorelbeke 1st Base 2006, 2010-11 July 31 Carlo Cota 2nd Base 2008-2012

August 21 Johnny Knott 3rd Base 1996-1999 Justin Fletschock Pitcher 1998-2002

Sept. 4 Jeff Bittiger Pitcher/Coach 1996-2002

The first group of players, who will appear at tomorrow’s game, include the double-play combo from the RedHawks first championship team in 1998 and a former Northern League batting champion.

Chad Akers joined the RedHawks for the inaugural season of 1996 and quickly cemented himself as the club’s everyday shortstop. In three seasons (1996-98), he batted .301 and set a franchise record with a 27-game hitting streak in 1997. In 1998, he was one of the leaders on a RedHawks club that dominated the Northern League with a 64-21 record and rolled to the first league championship in franchise history. The club’s .753 winning percentage is still the best all-time in Northern League/American Association history.

Steve Hine signed with the RedHawks prior to the historic 1998 season and paired with Akers to form the top double play combination in the Northern League both at the plate and in the field. In 144 games between 1998 and 1999, Hine batted .327 and hit 40 doubles, and drove in 75 runs.

Piepkorn starred at North Dakota State University before signing with the Cincinnati Reds organization in 2004. He joined the RedHawks for the final 32 games of the 2008 season and played all of 2009. That season, he won the Northern League batting title after hitting .339 with 20 doubles, 19 home runs and driving 73 runs as he led the RedHawks to the league championship. He joined the RedHawks for the final 31 games in 2010 and drove in 23 runs as Fargo-Moorhead won their second consecutive title. He also played in 15 games at the end of the 2013 season.

The player appearance schedule is subject to change, and more players may be added throughout the summer.