LINCOLN, Nebraska – 2B Nate Samson had three hits and three RBIs, and the Saltdogs beat the Cleburne Railroaders 9-6 in the regular season home finale at Haymarket Park on Thursday.
Samson led the way as Lincoln won the three-game series after the teams split a doubleheader on Tuesday night and had Wednesday off.
The ‘Dogs (45-51) opened the scoring in the 1st inning with an RBI groundout from 1B Jason Rogers before breaking things open with a seven-run 2nd inning.
CF Luis Roman made it 3-0 with a two-run homer and C Luke Roskam was then hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to make it 4-0. Rogers then singled in another run to make it 5-0 and LF Aaron Takacs walked with the bases full to make it 6-0. With still only one, Samson singled in two more and Lincoln led 8-0 after two innings.
Cleburne (45-51) got two runs back on a two-run homer from DH Jose Sermo in the 5th inning, and RF Hill Alexander hit a three-run homer to make it 8-5 in the 6th inning.
‘Dogs LHP David Holmberg allowed five runs on seven hits over 5 and 2/3 innings, and he picked up his eighth win of the year and 101st win of his career.
In the bottom of the 6th, Samson singled in Rogers with a two-out hit to make it 9-5. Cleburne SS Bret Boswell hit a solo homer in the 8th inning.
The ‘Dogs finish the home schedule 25-26, playing a 51st home game after a rainout in Winnipeg was rescheduled to be played in Lincoln.
Lincoln now hits the road for a four-game series at Kane County beginning on Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and pregame coverage begins at 6:00 on KFOR FM 101.5/1240 AM.
The Saltdogs are back in 2023! Single-game tickets for all games are on sale now. Reserve your seats now by calling 402-474-BALL (2255) or order on-line at Saltdogs.com.