712.277.WINS (9467)

The Sioux City Explorers sailed past Amarillo putting four runs on the board in the first inning, with nine total winning by a score of 9-2 at Lewis and Clark Park. 

In the bottom half of the first, Michael Lang reached base on a one out single, stole second and third, and then scored off a Brock Kjeldgaard single, to give the X’s their first run of the game. Sioux City plated three more runs in the inning off a Noah Perio Jr three run homer that scored Kjeldgaard and Tosoni from first and second base. 

In the second, X’s designated hitter Dillon Usiak doubled with one out and later advanced to third off a Michael Lang double to put him in scoring position. Rene Tosoni hit a fly-ball to centerfield, which scored Usiak from third to extend the lead 5-0 after two quick innings. 

Sioux City plated three runs in the third and fourth innings off a solo homer by Brock Kjeldgaard (9th of the season) , RBI single by Matty Johnson and another sac-fly RBI by Rene Tosoni. After five innings of play the score was 8-0 Explorers. 

Amarillo scored their first runs in the top half of the sixth, Thunderhead second baseman Taylor Smart led off with a single and then a Logan Vick two-run homer scored Smart from second and cut the X’s lead to 8-2. 

Explorers scored their ninth and final run in the bottom of the sixth off a fielders choice that plated catcher Matt Koch. Sioux City went on to win it 9-2, holding Amarillo scoreless in the seventh, eighth and ninth inning. 

X’s starter Ryan Zimmerman (5-1) continued whats been a red hot June for the right-hander by getting the win. Zimmerman went eight solid innings, allowed two runs on seven hits, one walk while recording a season high ten strikeouts on the night. Right-hander Jose Flores closed it out in the ninth inning. Thunderheads starter Freddy Flores (0-1) was charged with the loss for Amarillo, giving up eight runs in only four innings. 

The Explorers big hitter Friday night was designated hitter Dillon Usiak. The left handed hitter had himself a three hit night along with two runs and a double. Brock Kjeldgaard and Noah Perio Jr also had good nights at the plate, with both batters hitting a home run on the contest. Kjeldgaard finished with two hits, two runs, two RBIs and a homer. X’s shortstop Noah Perio Jr went 1 for 4 with a homer and three RBIs. 

The Sioux City Explorers will play games three and four of the series with Amarillo on Saturday at 7:05 and Sunday-6:05. For 2015 ticket information at Lewis and Clark Park, call (712) 277-WINS or visit the X’s website at www.xsbaseball.com