712.277.WINS (9467)

The Sioux City Explorers won game one of their three game series in Lincoln with the 8-6 victory at Hay-Market Park. X’s outfielder Brent Keys doubled and also had three RBIs on the win. 

The X’s went on the board first in Lincoln, plating a run in the first off an RBI double by Noah Perio Jr, scoring Brent Keys from third base. 

Lincoln answered in the bottom half of the second, taking the lead with four runs crossing home in the inning to make it 4-1. Saltdogs right-fielder Brain Joynt, hit a sac-fly RBI to right-field for the first run, and Jeremy Hamilton, Matt Forgatch and Aaron Payne all knocked in a baserunner with RBI singles. 

In the fourth inning, the Explorers tied with three runs on two hits and an error. Ryan Court scored an unearned run off an error by the first baseman for the first run. Later in the inning Brent Keys ripped a line-drive double in the gap to score runners from first and second. 

In the top half of the fifth, X’s second baseman Ryan Court ripped his second double of the game, scoring Noah Perio Jr from first base to re-take the lead by one run. Court later scored from third base off a (1-6-3) double play to extend the Explorer lead 6-4 after five innings. 

Sioux City tacked on another in the eighth inning. X’s centerfielder Matty Johnson worked up a two-out walk, advanced to second with a stolen base and score off a Brent Keys RBI single, extending the lead by four runs. 

In the bottom of the eighth, Lincoln cut the lead to one run with two runs scored off of base hit singles by Saltdogs left-fielder Tucker White and first baseman Jeremy Hamilton. 

Sioux City got a security run in the ninth to make it 8-6, which would go on to be the final score of the game, with X’s newly signed left-hander Brandon Stennis closing it out 1-2-3 to end his debut with a save. 

Explorers starter Eric Wordekemper (6-2) received the win going seven innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, five walks with five strikeouts. Saltdogs right-hander Casey Collins (1-2) was charged with the loss giving up five runs (three earned) in four innings pitched. 

Sioux City’s middle-infielder Noah Perio Jr and Ryan Court had the hot-bats in the contest. Perio went 2 for 4 with an RBI, double and two runs scored, while Ryan Court had a three hit night at the plate with two doubles, an RBI and two runs. Explorers outfielder Brent Keys also finished with two hits alongside a double, three RBIs and a run scored. 

Explorers will play game two of their three game series vs Lincoln tomorrow, first pitch 6:05 at Hay-Market Park. For additional information, please call 712-277-WINS (9467), or email [email protected]