GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — In the regular season finale, the Saltdogs (49-51) were bested by the south division champion Grand Prairie AirHogs (54-46) 4-1 in front of 2,236 fans at QuikTrip Park Monday afternoon.
Just moments before the game (which was delayed more than an hour due to wet conditions), AirHogs learned Amarillo was defeated at Sioux Falls, clinching the South title for the 2011 American Association title holders.
Stephen Nikonchik (2-0) pitched two scoreless inning of relief to earn the win. Stephen Bougher (3-8) went six frames, allowing four runs on seven hits to absorb the loss.
Lincoln plate its lone run in the ninth, set up by a Curt Smith lead-off double to left center and roosted by a Brian Joynt infield single.
The Saltdogs finish the season at 49-51, an eight-game improvement from a season ago.