Five-Run Fifth Helps RedHawks Complete Sweep of Explorers
by Connor Ryan, Sioux City Explorers
Fargo, ND (August 4th, 2022) – Peter Maris hit a fifth-inning grand-slam and collected six RBI to guide the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks to an 8-3 win over the Sioux City Explorers and a three game sweep.
Sioux City struck first, with an RBI double from Trey Martin in the top of the first to take a 1-0 lead. They added to that in the second with a two-out single from Danny Amaral to take a 2-0 lead.
The score held there until the bottom of the fifth. Fargo loaded the bases with a double, a single and a walk for Peter Maris who went the opposite way down the left field line to put Fargo in front 4-2. On the next consecutive pitch, Drew Ward homered in almost the exact same spot to go back to back and give the RedHawks a 5-2 advantage.
The fifth inning was the only frame in which Fargo did damage to Explorer starter Zach Hedges (1-6). Hedges went six innings, allowing those five runs on nine hits with one walk and a season high six strikeouts. Outside of the fifth inning, Hedges did not allow any runs on four hits and no walks.
Picking up the win for Fargo in relief was Brady Stover (2-2) as he tossed two scoreless innings, allowing a hit and two walks with three strikeouts.
Sioux City created a run in the seventh with Danny Amaral leading off the frame by getting hit by a pitch, he was pushed around to third where he scored on a Danry Vasquez sacrifice fly to center pulling Sioux City to within 5-3.
The RedHawks pulled away in the seventh and eighth however. A run scored with two outs in the seventh on a dropped third strike. And Maris doubled to left with two out in the eighth to give Fargo an 8-3 lead.
Maris ended the three game series with nine hits, two homers, three doubles, four runs scored and nine RBI.
Sioux City continues the road trip as they head to Chicago for a three game weekend series at Impact Field beginning on Friday at 7:00 pm. Lefty Patrick Ledet (3-3, 4.42) is on the bump for the Explorers and right hander AJ Kullman (6-6, 4.65) takes the mound for Chicago.