Monarchs Rally as RedHawks Fall in Championship Series Opener
FARGO, N.D. – The Kansas City Monarchs answered a Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks comeback with a response of their own to seal an 8-4 victory on Friday night in Game 1 of the best-of-five American Association Finals at Newman Outdoor Field. After the RedHawks clawed their way back from a three-run first-inning deficit, Kansas City responded with five combined runs over the fifth and sixth innings to take a four-run lead that they would not relinquish.
Dylan Kelly batted in three runs for Fargo-Moorhead and went 2-for-3 in the contest to lead the RedHawks. RHP John Ludwig (0-0, 7.71 ERA) worked 3 2/3 innings on the mound in his first playoff start and three earned runs on six hits with six strikeouts and three walks. F-M pitchers walked eight Kansas City batters in the game. LHP Mark Finkelnburg (0-1, 20.26 ERA) picked up the loss for the RedHawks after giving up three runs on three hits in 2/3 of an inning on the mound in relief of Ludwig.
The Monarchs hit two first-inning home runs to jump out to a 3-0 lead right off the bat, and starter LHP Matt Hall (2-0, 3.75 ERA) kept the RedHawks’ bats in check to the tune of four runs on seven hits over six innings pitched to earn his second win of the postseason.
The RedHawks will host the Monarchs in Game 2 of the American Association Finals on Saturday night in Fargo. F-M is expected to start RHP Bret Helton (1-1, 10.12 ERA) against Kansas City RHP Justin Schafer. First pitch for Saturday night’s game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online or by contacting the RedHawks Ticket Office at 701-235-6161.
By Chad Ekren, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks