SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota – 2B Nate Samson hit his 50th career home run, but the ‘Dogs allowed seven runs in the 9th inning and lost 11-8 to the Sioux Falls Canaries on a walk-off grand slam from 2B Jordan Barth at Sioux Falls Stadium on Wednesday night.
Samson’s two-run homer gave Lincoln a 6-4 lead in the 6th inning, but the ‘Dogs were walked off for the second time in three games and dropped a fourth consecutive game after winning the season opener.
Lincoln (1-4) fell behind 4-0 in 2nd before scoring eight unanswered runs. Samson’s RBI single made it 4-1 in the 3rd and RF Connor Panas made it 4-2 with a sacrifice fly later in the inning.
3B Luke Roskam tied the game with a two-run single in the 5th before Samson’s two-run homer gave the ‘Dogs their first lead of the series in the 6th. LF Aaron Takacs scored on a wild pitch to make it 7-4 in the 8th and C Zach Miller picked up his first ‘Dogs RBI with a bases-loaded walk that made it 8-4 in the 9th.
The Canaries (3-3) rallied for seven runs in the bottom of the 9th. RF Welington Dotel made it 8-5 with an RBI double before 1B Mike Hart drove in two with a single up the middle.
After LHP David Zoz replaced RHP Matt Cronin, a walk to CF Hunter Clanin loaded the bases with one out. Barth then hit a grand slam for his first homer of the year and the Canaries won their second game of the series.
RHP Nic Laio allowed four runs over 3 and 2/3 innings in his first start, while RHP R.J. Freure, RHP Carson Lance and LHP Steffon Moore combined for 4 and 1/3 scoreless innings. Cronin allowed four runs in 1/3 of an inning and Zoz took the loss after giving up the grand slam.
DH Cam Touchette went 2-for-4 with a double and two walks from the leadoff spot, while Samson had three RBI’s and Lincoln’s first homer of the year.
The series concludes Thursday night at 6:35 p.m., with pregame coverage starting at 6:05 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.