By Jason Young, Winnipeg Goldeyes

GARY, IN – The Gary SouthShore RailCats defeated the Winnipeg Goldeyes 8-2 at U.S. Steel Yard Sunday afternoon to take two out of three games in the clubs’ season-opening series.

Box Score

The home side scored twice in the first inning as Michael Woodworth crossed the plate on Jesus Marriaga’s groundout to shortstop and Daniel Lingua came home on a balk charged to Goldeyes starter Landen Bourassa.

The score remained unchanged until the bottom of the fifth inning when Gio Diaz came in on a fielding error to give the RailCats a 3-0 lead.

The Goldeyes cut the Gary SouthShore lead to 3-2 in the top of the sixth inning. First Keith Torres drove in Brynn Martinez with a double to left field. It was Torres’ first professional hit and run batted in. He then scored on Max Murphy’s groundout to shortstop.

The RailCats re-established their three-run lead in the bottom of the inning, scoring twice without the benefit of a hit. Francisco Del Valle scampered home on a wild pitch before Sam Abbott came home on Michael Woodworth’s sacrifice fly to centre field to make it 5-2.

In the seventh inning a bases-loaded walk to Abbott forced in Emmanuel Tapia and extend Gary SouthShore’s lead to four runs.

An eighth inning double to centre field by Marriaga drove in Diaz to make it 7-2 RailCats. Marriaga then came home on LG Castillo’s single to round out the scoring.

Bourassa (0-1) was charged with the loss, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits over five innings of work. He struck out five and walked one.

RailCats starter Chris Erwin (1-0) earned the victory. He gave up two runs on four hits in 5 1/3 innings while striking out eight and not walking a batter.

The Goldeyes now travel to Fargo, North Dakota where they will meet the RedHawks Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the first of three games at Newman Outdoor Field. Winnipeg has yet to announce their starting pitcher. Lefty Kevin McGovern (0-0, 0.00) is scheduled for Fargo-Moorhead.

Winnipeg’s 30th home opener is set for Friday, May 19 at Shaw Park against the Lake Country DockHounds featuring a magnet schedule giveaway and post-game fireworks.

For information on Goldeyes season tickets, group outings, and 10-game mini packs, visit the team’s official website Goldeyes.com.