SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota – 3B Luke Roskam hit a go-ahead grand slam in the 6th inning, and the Saltdogs rallied from multiple five-run deficits to beat the Sioux Falls Canaries 16-12 at Sioux Falls Stadium on Thursday night.
Roskam’s grand slam gave Lincoln (2-4) a 12-11 lead in the 6th and the ‘Dogs held on to snap a four-game skid and end the season-opening six-game roadtrip.
Sioux Falls (3-4) scored five in the 1st inning, but LF Aaron Takacs cleared the bases with a double to make it 5-3 in the 2nd. Roskam cut the deficit to one with an RBI single in the 3rd before DH Matt Goodheart’s two-run single gave the Saltdogs a 6-5 lead.
The Canaries scored six more to take an 11-6 lead in the 4th inning, but CF Nick Anderson hit a two-run homer that made it 11-8 in the 5th.
Roskam’s grand slam restored Lincoln’s lead before Goodheart scored on a wild pitch later in the inning. The ‘Dogs added three more on an RBI double from SS Drew Devine and a two-run single from PH Cam Touchette in the 8th inning.
RHP Carter Hope earned his first win with 3 and 2/3 scoreless innings in relief after LHP Abdallah Aris allowed 11 runs in 3 and 1/3 innings.
RHP Ben Terwilliger worked around two singles in a scoreless 8th, and RHP Carson Lance allowed one run in the 9th.
Roskam went 3-for-5 with a season-high five RBIs, while Devine had his first three-hit game of the year. All nine starters reached safely and the ‘Dogs scored a season-high 16 runs on 15 hits.
The ‘Dogs now return home to begin a six-game homestand with the first of three games against the Gary SouthShore RailCats. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and pregame coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR FM 101.5/1240 AM.
The Saltdogs welcome the Gary Southshore RailCats to Haymarket Park for the home opener on Friday, May 19! Single-game tickets for all 50 home games are on sale now. Reserve your tickets now by calling 402-474-BALL (2255) or order on-line at Saltdogs.com.