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Sioux Falls Pheasants outfielder Jonny Kaplan extended his hitting streak to nine games to help Sioux Falls defeat the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 5-2 in front of a crowd of 2,688 at Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo, ND on Sunday, May 27.

The Pheasants lead from the start of the game after back to back doubles by Cesar Morales and Jared Bolden in the first inning gave Sioux Falls an early 1-0 lead.

RedHawks starting pitcher Paul Burnside would get four straight outs going into the top of the third inning before the Pheasants scored again. With one out and a 0-2 count, Cesar Nichols would be hit by a pitch and score Kaplan to extend the lead to 2-0.

Kaplan started the fifth inning with a walk and a stolen base before being driven in by a ground ball single up the middle by Bolden. A Cristian Guerrero single scored Bolden from second and sent the RedHawks to the bullpen with reliever Tyler Herron to get them out of the jam down 4-0.

The RedHawks would battle back in the fourth inning to cut the lead to 4-2. Singles by Ryan Delgado and Aharon Eggleston would start the inning off for Fargo-Moorhead before Nic Jackson hit a line drive double to right-center field and score both Delgado and Eggleston.

Sioux Falls got an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning. After RedHawks reliever Kevin Fuqua was subbed in for Daniel Morari, Pheasants’ Kaplan hit a single up the middle to score Jake Taylor to give them a 5-2 lead.

Paul Burnside’s record drops to 1-1 on the season. He pitched 4.1 innings striking out three batters, walking four, and giving up four earned runs on five hits. Relief pitchers Tyler Herron, Daniel Morari, Kevin Fuqua, and Joe Harris combined to throw 4 2/3 innings giving up five hits and allowing one earned run.

Sioux Falls starting pitcher Mark Michael picked up his first win of the season. Michael gave up only one hit in his first four innings pitched. He pitched 6+ innings giving up four hits, six walks, and two earned runs while striking out four batters. Jack Van Leur and Kyle Mertins pitched the seventh and eighth innings respectively before Cody Evans came in to pick up his second save of the season.

Fargo-Moorhead’s Aaaron Eggleston, Nic Jackson, and Ryan Delgado were the only players with hits for the RedHawks. Both Eggleston and Jackson combined to have four of the team’s five hits.

Sioux Falls’ Morales and Bolden each had three hits apiece while Jake Taylor had two hits with one run. Kaplan’s now hit safely in every game so far this season for the Pheasants.

Sioux Falls’ overall record is now 4-5 on the season as they continue on the road to play Gary SouthShore Monday, May 28. The 5-5 RedHawks continue their home stand with a three-game series against the Wichita Wingnuts on Monday, May 27, at 6:00 p.m. at Newman Outdoor Field.