FARGO, N.D.  – Correlle Prime reached base in all four of his at bats, scored two runs, notched his 900th career hit, and hit the eventual game-winning 2-run home run in the 3rd inning to lead the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks to a 6-1 win against the Chicago Dogs in front of 2263 fans in the Home Opener at Newman Outdoor Field.. All nine RedHawks batters reached base, and three other batters (Pina, Silviano, and George) had an RBI in the win.

RedHawks pitcher Kevin McGovern, who was named American Association Pitcher of the Week on Monday, pitched another gem to earn his second win of the season one day ahead of schedule due to the departure of RHP Kevin Herget, whose contract was transferred to the Cleveland Indians on Monday. McGovern pitched 7.0 innings, allowed only three hits, one run, no walks, and struck out nine after throwing a complete game shutout last Thursday against Cleburne. In two starts this season, McGovern is 2-0 with a 0.56 ERA, 16.0 innings pitched, 17 strikeouts, and no walks.

Chicago used four pitchers on Tuesday night, as starter Jake Dahlberg earned the loss and gave up three runs on five hits in 3.0 innings pitched. Dahlberg struck out three while walking none in his second start of the season. He is now 0-1 with a 3.57 ERA this season. In relief, Chicago used pitchers Greg Harris, Tyler Ferguson, and Jonathon Crawford, all of which gave up at least one hit. Harris, who was brought out in the 4th inning, gave up three unearned runs in the 5th. He is 0-1 with a 5.78 ERA in his two appearances this season.

Chicago’s only run came in the 4th inning, as Danny Mars hit a single to score former RedHawks Outfielder Brennan Metzger from third. Two of the Dogs’ four hits came in that inning, as the RedHawks limited Chicago’s threats to score all game. Catcher Ryan Lidge, who came into the game as the American Association’s best hitter with a .556 average, was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts on the night.

After McGovern left the game, the RedHawks used relief pitchers Ryan Flores and Nathan Foriest to seal the victory. Flores faced four batters in the eighth inning, allowed one hit, and struck out the other three men he faced. In his three appearances this season, Flores is 0-0 with a 4.90 ERA in 3.2 innings pitched. Foriest, who was signed Tuesday, pitched in the 9th and struck out two batters to end the game.

Jordan George was credited with a two-out, 2-RBI single in the 5th inning when Chicago pitcher Tyler Ferguson fell down behind the mound while trying to catch an infield-fly. In the 2nd inning, John Silviano hit the first pitch he saw to deep right field, his second home run of the season, to open the scoring for the RedHawks.The two teams will play again tomorrow at 7:02 P.M. at Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo, N.D. The probable pitching matchup will be RHP Gage Hinsz (0-1, 10.38 ERA) for the RedHawks vs. RHP Jordan Kipper (0-0, 5.06 ERA) for the Dogs. Tickets can be found online at fmredhawks.com/tickets. This year also marks the team’s 25th Anniversary, with various celebrations to be held throughout the year.

Boxscore

By Chad Ekren, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks