RedHawks Score Early, Hang on to Down RailCats
FARGO, N.D. – Despite allowing four runs in the eighth inning and the game-tying run to get into scoring position in the ninth, the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks held off the Gary SouthShore RailCats to win, 7-6, on Thursday night. The RedHawks stranded eight RailCats baserunners over the last three innings while Alex DuBord got his third save of the season in front of 3,452 fans at Newman Outdoor Field.
The RedHawks scored seven runs in the first three innings but were held scoreless over the last five innings of the game. Correlle Prime led off with a home run in the first inning, and they scored five runs in the third, including a two-run home run by John Silviano. Jordan George hit a solo shot of his own in the second inning. Every RedHawks batter either had a hit or an RBI in the win (four different players had one of each).
RHP Bret Helton (4-5) pitched 6.2 innings and got the win after allowing only two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six batters. RHP Michael Hope (6-1) replaced Helton in the seventh inning and did not fare as well, as he gave up four runs on a hit, three walks, and a hit-by-pitch in one third of an inning. RHP Alex DuBord (2-0) came on in the eighth inning with the bases loaded and allowed two hits and a walk but did not give up a run. DuBord then gave up a hit and walk in the ninth but struck out three batters to finish the game.
The RailCats picked up a run in the fifth and sixth innings to cut the lead to 7-2 and exploded for four more runs in the eighth inning. Center fielder Billy Cooke (3-for-5, RBI, run scored, two stolen bases) was the only RailCats batter with more than one hit in the loss. Gary SouthShore was held without an extra-base hit and left 11 batters on base.
Gary SouthShore right-handed starter John Sheaks (0-1) only lasted two innings and gave up two runs on three hits. Sheaks got the loss and was replaced by LHP Cole Cook (1-1) in the third inning. Cook pitched six innings and struck out two batters but gave up five runs on nine hits and three walks.
Fargo-Moorhead will continue their homestand and will welcome the Winnipeg Goldeyes for a four-game series beginning with a 7:02 p.m. game on Friday night at Newman Outdoor Field.
By Chad Ekren, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
