Lincoln, Nebraska- The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks sent ten batters to the plate in the top of the first inning and scored six runs, which sparked a 13-6 victory over the Lincoln Saltdogs, Friday night at Haymarket Park, in the first game of a three-game weekend series. Patrick Wicklander pitched eight innings while Tucupita Marcado and Matt Kroon homered for Fargo-Moorhead. Jake Hjelle homered for Lincoln, in the loss.
Fargo-Moorhead (45-39) scored thirteen runs, off thirteen hits, with one error, and stranded seven base runners. Lincoln (37-47) dropped its fifth straight game, while scoring six runs, with eight hits, committing two errors, and leaving six runners on base. Friday night’s game lasted two hours and fifty-four minutes and was played in front of 3,901 fans.
Facing Lincoln starter Jacob Hughes, Jesus Lujano and Eric Filia led off the game with back-to-back singles. Then, Tripp Clark drew a walk, to load the bases. The next batter, Jose Sermo, walked, scoring Lujano, to make it 1-0. Two batters later, Matt Kroon singled, scoring Filia, to make it 2-0. The next batter, Dillon Thomas, hit a bouncing ball to first. Jake Hjelle threw to second, attempting to force out Kroon, however, the ball bounced off Kroon and went into left field, allowing Clark to score. Jairo Pomares picked up the ball and threw home, attempting to retire Jose Sermo, but the ball bounced off Sermo, who scored, while Thomas and Kroon advanced to second and third. The next batter, Brian Fuentes, singled, scoring both base runners, to make it a 6-0 RedHawks lead.
Lincoln got a couple runs back in the bottom of the first. Facing Fargo-Moorhead starter Patrick Wicklander, Jairo Pomares hit a two-out single. Then, Tanner O’Tremba doubled down the left field line, scoring Pomares, to make it 6-1. The next batter, Connor Bagnieski, singled, scoring O’Tremba, to make it 6-2.
The RedHawks kept the offense going in the top of the second. Eric Filia led off the inning with a single. Two batters later, Jose Sermo singled. Then, Tucupita Marcado hit a three-run home run to right field, to make it 9-2. Matt Kroon singled. Two batters later, Brian Fuentes doubled, scoring Kroon, to make it 10-2.
The Saltdogs tried to chip away in the bottom of the second. Jake Hjelle led off the inning with a solo home run to left field. His twelfth home run of the season make it 10-3.
Lincoln added a couple more runs in the bottom of the third. Cary Arbolida led off the inning with a walk. Three batters later, Connor Bagnieski doubled down the left field line, and Arbolida scored all the way from first, to make it 10-4. Then, Calyn Halvorson singled, scoring Bagnieski, to make it 10-5.
Fargo-Moorhead extended its advantage in the top of the fourth. Facing reliever Drake LaRoche, Tucupita Marcado led off the inning with a walk. Matt Kroon doubled, to put runners at second and third. Dillon Thomas grounded out to second, scoring Marcado, to make it 11-5. Then, Brian Fuentes doubled, scoring Kroon, to make it a 12-5 Fargo-Moorhead lead.
The RedHawks added one more run in the top of the ninth. Facing reliever Gabriel Jarmillo, Matt Kroon led off the inning with a solo home run to right field, to make it 13-5.
The Saltdogs did plate one run in the bottom of the ninth. Facing reliever, Jon Beymer, Jacob Morrow led off with a walk, then took second on a wild pitch. A Paul Myro IV groundout to second advanced Morrow to third. Then, Nick Shumpert grounded out to short, scoring Morrow, to make it 13-6, which was the final score.
Fargo-Moorhead starting pitcher Patrick Wicklander (4-2) earned the win, pitching 8.0 innings, giving up five runs, off eight hits, struck out eight and walked one. Jon Beymer pitched 1.0 inning, yielding one run and walked two.
Lincoln starter Jacob Hughes (5-3) took the loss, pitching 2.0 innings, giving up ten runs, eight earned, off nine hits, struck out one and walked two. Drake LaRoche pitched 2.0 innings, giving up two runs, off two hits, struck out two and walked one. Ryan Rembisz worked 2.0 innings, struck out three and walked one. Harold Cortijo pitched 1.0 inning and walked one. Tyler Stasiowski threw 1.0 inning and struck out one. Gabriel Jaramillo worked 1.0 inning, gave up one run, off two hits, struck out three and walked one.
Offensively for the RedHawks, Eric Filia was 2-for-4. Jose Sermo was 1-for-4 with an RBI. Tucupita Marcado was 1-for-4 with a three-run home run. Matt Kroon was 4-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs batted in. Dillon Thomas went 1-for-4 with two RBIs. Brian Fuentes was 3-for-5 with four runs batted in.
For the Saltdogs, Nick Shumpert was 0-for-5 and drove in one run. Tanner O’Tremba was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Connor Bagnieski was 2-for-4 with two runs batted in. Calyn Halvorson was 1-for-4 with an RBI. Jake Hjelle was 2-for-4 with a solo home run.
Game two of the series is Saturday night. RHP Graham Edwards (2-8, 7.70 ERA) will pitch for Lincoln. LHP Parker Harm (5-2, 5.56 ERA) will be on the mound for Fargo-Moorhead. The first pitch will be 6:05 p.m., at Haymarket Park. The game will be broadcast on KFOR 101.5 FM/1240 AM and on: www.aabaseball.tv.
Saturday’s game is Saltdogs Straw Hat Giveaway sponsored by UBT & Nelnet. Plus, fans can purchase $4 Select Tall Boys. For tickets, merchandise and more information, visit: www.saltdogs.com.