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SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Sioux Falls Canaries improved to 2-0 under interim manager Shelby Ford after scoring two unanswered runs over the final two innings on Wednesday night, defeating the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks by the final score of 2-1 at Sioux Falls Stadium.

The Sioux Falls fans were treated to a fantastic pitching performance from both starting pitchers, but neither factored in the final decision. Canaries starter Stephen Bougher gave up the only Redhawks run of the night in the top of the first inning after giving up back-to-back singles to start the game. Redhawks third baseman Josh Mazzola drove in the run on an RBI ground out to give his team the early 1-0 lead, but Bougher settled down, retiring the next 13 batters faced.

The Former South Dakota State Jackrabbit cruised his way into the middle innings, but ran into a jam in the top of the 6th, loading the bases up with only one out, and his team trailing 1-0. Bougher dug deep and struck out the final two batters of the inning, including his former teammate Brian Humphries for the final out.

Redhawks starter Tyler Alexander was nearly unhittable over his eight innings of work. The Lefty picked up a season high 11 strikeouts while holding the Canaries offense to just one run on six hits, but left the game in a 1-1 tie going into the 9th inning.

Relief pitcher Josh Ferrell was lights out in his two innings of relief, holding the Redhawks scoreless on one hit while striking out two batters. Closer Madison Boer came into the game in the top of the 9th inning in a non-save situation with the game tied at 1-1, but for the second straight night had a rocky start. Boer loaded the bases with nobody out before picking up a strikeout and a 6-4-3 double to deny the Redhawks a run, setting up the possible walk-off for the Birds.

Redhawks closer Colton Reavis entered the game in the bottom of the 9th inning looking to send it to extra inning, but the Birds had other plans. Ozney Guillen stroked a one-out single into center field and advanced to second base on a passed ball before Revis retired Cameron Monger at the plate with a strikeout to put two outs on the board. Aaron Owen came to the plate and bounced a ball to the right side of the infield that was bobbled by Redhawks second basemen Ryan Pineda before throwing it over the first basemen’s head, allowing Guillen to score the winning run.

The Canaries go for the series sweep on Thursday afternoon with RHP Ray Hanson (0-1, 14.40 ERA) making his 2nd start of the season against Redhawks RHP Jose Almarante (1-1, 2.71 ERA).