FARGO, North Dakota – Curt Smith hit a three-run homer and had his first four-hit night of 2019, and the Saltdogs rallied multiple times in a back-and-forth, 8-7 win over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at Newman Outdoor Field on Monday night.
Smith’s three-run homer flipped a one-run deficit into an 8-6 lead in the 4th inning – and it was Lincoln’s third homer of the night, the first time the ‘Dogs have hit three home runs in a game this year.
Cody Regis opened the scoring with an sacrifice fly in the first inning, but the RedHawks took their first lead of the game on a Leo Pina two-run single that was originally ruled a foul ball as it rolled down the third-base line.
The ‘Hawks scored an unearned run to make it 3-1 in the 2nd before Lincoln struck for four runs in the 3rd. Randolph Oduber led off the inning with his third homer of the year, and Christian Ibarra – hitting in the fifth spot for the first time this season – clubbed a two-run homer to give the ‘Dogs a lead again. John Sansone later doubled in Tyler Moore to make it 5-3.
Fargo-Moorhead regained the lead again in the bottom of the 3rd when Daniel Comstock tied the game with a two-run homer and Devan Ahart hit an RBI single, but after Smith’s three-run homer, the RedHawks only scored once more on Leo Pina’s RBI double in the 6th.
Nick Tepesch earned his fourth win in as many starts though giving up five earned runs over five innings, and Jose Ortega earned a save in his first appearances with the Saltdogs. Ortega is now the fifth different Saltdog with a save this season.
Game 2 of the three-game series is scheduled for 7:02 p.m. on Tuesday. Pregame coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN Lincoln 101.5 FM/1480 AM.
The Saltdogs are playing their 19th season in Lincoln. All ticket and promo information can be found at saltdogs.com, and follow the ‘Dogs on Twitter/Instagram @saltdogsball.