Saltdogs Unable to Chase Down RedHawks

Lincoln, Nebraska- Saturday night at Haymarket Park, the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks scored eight runs in the first two innings and went on to defeat the Lincoln Saltdogs 12-7.  Matt Kroon homered in the second straight game, while Jose Sermo hit his 29^th home run of the season, for Fargo-Moorhead.  Lincoln’s Jake Hjelle also homered in his second straight game, in the Saltdogs loss.

Fargo-Moorhead (46-39) scored twelve runs, off twelve hits, committed four errors, and left nine runners on base.  Lincoln had seven runs, with thirteen hits, one error, and stranded twelve base runners.  Saturday night’s game lasted three hours and twenty-eight minutes and was played in front of 3,563 fans.

Like Friday night, the RedHawks started the scoring in the top of the first.  Facing Lincoln starter Graham Edwards, Jesus Lujano and Eric Filia led off the game with back-to-back singles.  Then, Tripp Clark drew a walk, to load the bases.  Two batters later, Tucupita Marcano grounded to short, which forced out Clark, scoring Lujano, to make it 1-0.  Then, Matt Kroon hit a three-run home run to left field, making it a 4-0 Fargo-Moorhead lead.

Lincoln scratched back in the bottom of the first.  Facing Fargo-Moorhead starter Parker Harm, Nick Shumpert and Cary Arbolida led off the inning with back-to-back singles.  Then, Jairo Pomares reached on an infield single, scoring Shumpert, and putting runners at first and second.  Then, Tanner O’Tremba reached on a fielder’s choice, which loaded the bases.  Connor Bagnieski grounded to second, forcing out O’Tremba, and scoring Arbolida, to make it 4-2.  Two batters later, Jake Hjelle singled, scoring Pomares, to make it 4-3.

The RedHawks scored four more runs in the top of the second.  With one out, Brian Fuentes was hit by a pitch.  Then, Jesus Lujano drew a walk.  Two batters later, Tripp Clark hit a two-RBI double, to make it 6-2.  Then, Jose Sermo hit a two-run home run to right field, making it 8-2.

Fargo-Moorhead added two more runs in the top of the fourth.  Jesus Lujano led off with a single.  Eric Filia hit a come backer to the mound, which forced out Lujano.  Then, Tripp Clark hit a ground ball to short, which Nick Shumpert misplayed, putting runners at first and second.  Then, Jose Sermo reached on a fielder’s choice, which loaded the bases.  The next batter, Tucupita Marcano, singled, scoring Filia, to make it 9-2.  Then, Matt Kroon hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Clark, to make it a 10-2 Fargo-Moorhead advantage.

In the top of the seventh, the RedHawks added another run.  With one out, facing reliever Jack Hill, Dillon Thomas was hit by a pitch.  Then, Juan Fernandez singled, putting runners on the corners.  The next batter, Brian Fuentes, hit a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Thomas, to make it 11-2.

Lincoln got back on the scoreboard in the bottom of the eighth.  Facing reliever Justin Lopez, Jake Hjelle led off the inning with a single.  Two batters later, Paul Myro IV tripled into the left field corner, scoring Hjelle, to make it 11-3.  A wild pitch would allow Myro IV to score, to make it 11-4.  Nick Shumpert hit a ground ball to short that got under Tucupita Marcano’s glove, allowing him to reach first.  Shumpert took second, then, third.  Two batters later, Jairo Pomares singled, scoring Shumpert, to make it 11-5, and Pomares advanced to second.  Tanner O’Tremba hit a dribbler back to the mound, but Lopez’s throw to first was wide, and Pomares scored, making it 11-6.

The RedHawks got a run back in the top of the ninth.  Facing reliever Jeferson Figueroa, Dillon Thomas was hit by a pitch.  Then, Michael Snyder got hit by a pitch, as well.  Brian Fuentes hit a bouncer to the mound, and Snyder was forced out at second base.  The next batter, Jesus Lujano, singled, scoring Thomas, to make it 12-6.

In the bottom of the ninth, facing reliever Tyler Jeans, Jake Hjelle hit a one-out solo home run to left field, making the score 12-7.  Jeans struck out Griffin Everitt, then walked Paul Myro IV.  However, Jeans struck out Nick Shumpert, swinging, to end the game.

Fargo-Moorhead starting pitcher Parker Harm threw 2.0 innings, giving up three runs, two earned, off five hits and struck out four.  Edinson Batista (1-1) earned the win, pitching 5.0 innings, yielding four hits, struck out six and walked one.  Justin Lopez threw 1.0 inning, giving up three runs, off three hits and struck out two.  Tyler Jeans pitched 1.0 inning giving up one run, off one hit, struck out three and walked one.

Lincoln starter Graham Edwards (2-9) took the loss, pitching 6.0 innings, yielding ten runs, eight earned, off nine hits, struck out seven and walked three.  Jack Hill pitched 2.0 innings, giving up one run, off two hits, struck out one and walked two.  Jeferson Figueroa pitched 1.0 inning, yielding one run off one hit.

Offensively for the RedHawks, Jesus Lujano was 3-for-5 with an RBI.  Tripp Clark went 3-for-5 with two runs batted in.  Jose Sermo was 1-for-4 with a two-run home run.  Tucupita Marcano was 1-for-5 and drove in two runs.  Matt Kroon was 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and four runs batted in.

For the Saltdogs, Nick Shumpert was 2-for-6.  Cary Arbolida was 2-for-5.  Jairo Pomares went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.  Connor Bagnieski was 1-for-5 with one run batted in.  Jake Hjelle went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and two RBIs.  Paul Myro IV was 1-for-4 and drove in one run.

The final game of the series is Sunday afternoon.  LHP Cam Dayton (3-1, 3.25 ERA) will pitch for Lincoln.  LHP Eric Chalus (4-2, 3.61 ERA) will be on the mound for Fargo-Moorhead.  The first pitch at Haymarket Park will be 1:05 p.m.  The game will be broadcast on KFOR 101.5 FM/1240 AM and on: www.aabaseball.tv.

Sunday’s game is FAMILY FUNDAY SUNDAY! Fans can get a Ticket, Fairbury Brand Hot Dog, Chips, & Pepsi Fountain Soda, for just $18.  It’s also Signature Sundays sponsored by Wild Dutchman, as a pair of Saltdogs players will sign autographs at the Welcome Center 30 minutes prior to first pitch.  Also, Kids 12 & under receive a FREE General Admission ticket when wearing a youth sports jersey, sponsored by Spine & Sports Chiropractic.  For tickets, merchandise and more information, visit: www.saltdogs.com.