LINCOLN — Zachary Varce pitched superbly, but the Amarillo Sox (9-14) assembled a two-out rally in the ninth to beat the Saltdogs (11-13) 3-2 in front of 2,983 fans at Haymarket Park Sunday afternoon.
With two outs in the top of the ninth, Michael Broad doubled to left off Saltdogs closer Marshall Schuler. Derek Perren came up next and singled to center field to propel the Sox ahead 3-2.
Zachary Varce tossed seven innings, allowing two runs – one earned – on eight hits while striking out three and walking zero.
Matt Larkins (2-2) worked a perfect eighth inning of relief to pick up the win. Erik Draxton allowed a hit in the ninth but was able to record his second save.
After falling behind 2-0, the 'Dogs got on the board in the bottom of the third thanks to a Chad Mozingo RBI single. Lincoln drew even in the sixth on a Kevin Howard run-scoring hit.
Matt Forgatch went 2-for-4 with a double, and Eddie Young went 2-for-4 in the losing effort.
Brian Joynt went 0-for-3 with a walk to see his hit streak snap at 13 games.
The Saltdogs are off Monday and open a three-game series at Fargo-Moorhead Tuesday night at 7:02 p.m. RHP Nick Green (0-1, 2.70) will pitch for the 'Dogs against RHP Brian Ernst (1-2, 8.10). Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.
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