Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks Rebound to Down Wingnuts, 3-2
A night after seeing their pitching staff battered around for 12-runs and 15-hits, the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks received 1.2-innings of spectacular relief out of Tyler Thompson on their way to winning a rain shortened 3-2 affair. K.D. Kang drove in two runs in the game as the RedHawks snapped a four-game losing streak.
Charlie Leesman was making just his second start of the season for Wichita and he looked a little rusty early on, giving up two runs in the first inning. With one down, Yhoxian Medina walked and advanced to second following a base hit by Devan Ahart. Both runners moved up on a double steal before Josh Mazzola walked to load the bases. That brought Kang to the plate, who lined a single into right field scoring both Medina and Ahart and Fargo-Moorhead had the quick to run lead.
The Wingnuts responded with a run in the bottom of the first. Christian Stringer singled to center with one out to get the rally going, and Brent Clevlen followed with a walk. Next up was T.J. Mittelstaedt, who lined a single into left field, scoring Stringer to make it 2-1.
It would stay that way until the fourth, when Wichita would tie the score. With one down, Richard Prigatano drilled the ball down the line in right field, and legged it out for a triple. Leo Vargas was the next hitter, and he hit a ball deep to center field that easily scored Prigatano on the sacrifice fly to tie the game at two.
The score remained tied heading into the seventh, when the RedHawks would retake the lead. With one down, Mitch Delfino beat out a ground ball for a single, and the throw to first was wild, allowing him to take second. Kes Carter then walked, and Jesus Posso followed with a base hit to left field that brought home Delfino.
In the eighth inning, the rains came in the game was called. The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks were the 3-2 victors.
Tyler Thompson (1-1) earned the victory. Richie Tate earned his second save of the season. K.D. Kang had a hit and drove in two-runs. Devan Ahart had 2-hits for RedHawks. T.J. Mittelstaedt went 2-4 with an RBI for Wichita.
The rubber match of this three-game set is scheduled for tomorrow at 1:05. Jordan Cooper (2-0, 2.32) will go for the Wichita Wingnuts looking for his third win of the season. He will be opposed by LHP Tyler Alexander (1-2, 3.00).
By Robert Pannier
