FARGO, North Dakota – The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks dropped game one of the Miles Wolff Cup West Divisional Series to the Sioux City Explorers by a score of 8-6 on a chilly Wednesday night at Newman Outdoor Field.
Today’s visitors kicked off the action with Matt Lloyd taking a 2-1 pitch over the right-center field wall for the series’ opening salvo in the top of the second inning.
The RedHawks responded in the bottom of the third as B.J. Lopez led off the inning with a single to center field. After a ground out and a strikeout, Leo Pina reached base thanks to an error by the X’s center fielder which also allowed Lopez to reach third. In the ensuing at-bat and with a 2-2 count, John Silviano mashed a home run over the right field wall to give the ‘Hawks their first and only lead of the game.
However, the lead would be short lived as the Explorers would tie the game in the fourth and take the lead in the top of the fifth, utilizing seven hits and four walks between RedHawks starter Kevin McGovern and bullpen lefty Benjamin Holmes to score seven runs and make it an 8-4 affair. The Gov’s night ended during the fifth as he only lasted four innings, allowing eight runs off 10 hits and two walks while striking out two batters.
Fargo-Moorhead responded with a run in the ensuing half inning as three straight base hits from Silviano, Scott Schreiber and Manny Boscan cut the lead in half after five complete innings. The RedHawks threatened in the bottom of the ninth, with Dillon Thomas and Pina scoring on a passed ball, but the comeback would fall short as a strikeout ended the ballgame.
With the loss, the RedHawks now have their backs against the wall as they hit the road for MercyOne Field at Lewis & Clark Park in Sioux City for game two of the WDS on Friday, September 8 and the, if necessary, game three on Saturday, September 9. The first pitch for Friday night’s contest is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
