FARGO, North Dakota— Fireworks provided by a Correlle Prime homerun surge the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks past the Milwaukee Milkmen on a warm Independence Day within the confines of Newman Outdoor Field.

Milwaukee was fast score as they pieced together a walk and three hits on Fargo-Moorhead’s starter Tyler Grauer to jump ahead 2-0 after the opening frame of play. Grauer finished his start pitching 5.2 innings, allowing six runs (five earned) off seven hits, two walks while striking out five.

After a few scoreless innings, The RedHawks struck back with four runs in the bottom of the fourth. Evan Alexander led off the inning with a triple to right field, Correlle Prime followed that with a base hit to score the runner. Following a double play, Leo Pina would reach base off an error by the third baseman. After Alec Olund drew a walk, Matt Goodheart would hit a fly ball to the outfield, which the Milkmen center fielder would lose in the sun and would fall for a double that’ll score two runs. Sam Dexter would single in Goodheart for the fourth run of the inning. The RedHawks added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth as Prime sent a moonshot over the left field wall to make it a 6-2 ballgame after five innings played.

The Milkmen would storm back in the top of the sixth, combining the efforts of four base hits, a walk and an error to tie the game and force the RedHawks to call to the bullpen. Conner Richardson would answer that call and retire the side and end the threat.

Fargo-Moorhead would score a couple of go-ahead runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Leo Pina doubled to right center to lead off the inning, he would advance to third off a fly ball. After an intentional walk, Dexter would bring him home with a sacrifice fly. Nick Novak would line a base hit to score a second run and bring the game to its 8-6 final score.

With the win, the RedHawks rose to a 27-18 record and close the gap behind the leader of the AAPB West Division. Fargo-Moorhead is back in action Wednesday night when they face off with Milwaukee for game two of the midweek series. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:02 p.m. with gates scheduled to open an hour earlier.

NOTABLE REDHAWKS

Correlle Prime (2-4: HR, 3 RBI, R)

Matt Goodheart (2-3: 2B, BB, 2 RBI)

Nick Novak (2-4: RBI)