fmredhawks.com

Nic Jackson went 4-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI as Fargo-Moorhead (31-22) defeated Gary SouthShore (32-20) 9-3 on Friday night.

RedHawks starter Paul Burnside shook off some third inning wildness to turn in a quality start. The righty fired six and a third innings allowing three runs on three hits and four walks.

The RailCats scored the first run in the second inning. With runners on first and second, the ‘Cats used back-to-back sacrifices, the second of which came from Drew Martinez, to score Craig Maddox who walked to start the inning and take a 1-0 lead.

Fargo-Moorhead grabbed the lead the next half inning; sending nine men to the plate. Ronnie Bourquin walked and Todd Jennings was hit by a pitch by RailCats starter Billy Spottiswood to start the inning for the Red Hawks. Mitch Einerston just snuck a ball down the 3rd base line  to drive the first two runs home with one out. Nic Jackson legged out an infield single to bring home Einerston.

In the bottom of the third, Danny Pulfer singled to start the inning. Then with one out; RedHawks starter Paul Burnside issued back-to-back four pitch walks to load the bases for the RailCats. Craig Maddox drove in Pulfer with a sac-fly to make it 3-2. RedHawks center fielder Nic Jackson robbed Christian Vitters with a great running grab in center to keep the RailCats from adding more.

The RedHawks added to their lead in the fifth with a pair of runs. With runners on first and third and one out, Zach Penprase scored on a wild pitch by Billy Spottiswood. Later, CJ Retherford doubled in Nic Jackson with a drive down the left-field line to make it 5-2.

Billy Spottiswood went six innings for the RailCats, suffering his first loss with Gary SouthShore. Spottiswood surrendered five runs for the third consecutive start, allowing six hits and two walks.

Josh Biggs made his professional debut in the top of the 7th for the RailCats. Biggs allowed a  leadoff single to Nic Jackson and a walk to C.J. Retherford, but Biggs got a double play ball off the bat of Keith Brachold; moving Jackson to third. Biggs was relieved by Taylor Sewitt, who was greeted with a Tim Alberts triple to put Fargo ahead 6-2.

The RailCats cut the lead to 6-3 when Mike Massaro drove home Zac Mitchell in the home half of the 7th.

Fargo-Moorhead loaded the bases in the 8th with one out off of Taylor Sewitt. They picked up three insurance runs in the inning. One on a sac-fly from C.J. Retherford, another on a bases loaded walk to Ronnie Bourquin and a wild pitch.