Explorers Blanked in Lincoln, 3-0
Lincoln, NE – Behind the complete game shut out of Nick Tepesch the Lincoln Saltdogs avoid the sweep of the Explorers by defeating the X’s 3-0.
Tepesch went the full nine innings, scattering seven hits while walking just two and striking out six. Tepesch had three perfect innings. But the double play ball was his most effective weapon. Each inning that the Explorers got the lead off man on base Tepesch would get the X’s to hit into a double play. In full the Saltdogs turned four double plays in the game.
For Tepesch it was his second complete game of the season and first shut out as a Saltdog, third professionally. His last complete game shut out came in 2014 with the Round Rock Express, the AAA affiliate of the Texas Rangers.
Max Duval made the start for Sioux City and lasted 4.1 innings, allowing four hits and three runs with two being earned. He walked two and struck out a season high eight.
Lincoln scored twice in the second when Cody Regis lead off the inning with a walk, Curt Smith doubled and Tyler Moore drove both runners in with a double to make it 2-0 Saltdogs.
They would tack on an insurance run in the fifth. After loaded the bases on a single, and error and a walk Cody Regis came to the plate with one away. He would hit a ground ball to first where Adam Sasser tried to end the inning with a 3-6-3 double play but Regis would beat it out allowing the run to score making it 3-0.
Ryan Flores, Juan Aguilera and Nathan Gercken provided 3.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen as Explorers pitching ended up striking out 12 in the ball game.
Offensively for Sioux City both Nate Samson and Michael Lang went 2-4 with a double. The bottom third of the Explorers lineup went a combined 0-9.
Sioux City will have a day off on Monday before hosting the Milwaukee Milkmen for the first time ever on Tuesday with first pitch scheduled for 7:12 pm from MercyOne Field at Lewis and Clark Park.
By Connor Ryan