712.277.WINS (9467)

Moville, IA - The Sioux City Explorers played their second exhibition game of the 2018 season against the Sioux Falls Canaries on Wednesday evening in Moville, Iowa with the game resulting in a 2-2 tie after 9 innings.

Taylor Jordan got the start for the Explorers in this one going three innings, giving up two runs only one was earned, on five hits, with four strikeouts and no walks. The Canaries got both of their runs in the second inning starting with a solo home run to center field by Chris Grayson who ended up having a three hit night for the birds. Tyler Wolfe then reached on a single and came around to score on a Michael Hart sacrifice fly to pad the Canaries lead to 2-0.

On the other side, Joe Bircher started on the bump for the Canaries and held the Explorers bats in check for three innings giving up only one hit to Luis Durango to lead off the bottom of the first, who was then thrown out attempting to steal second base. Bircher also had four strikeouts with one walk.

The Canaries threatened to put more runs on the board in the top of the fourth but X’s pitcher James Dykstra was able to leave the bases loaded after recording an inning ending strike out against Dan Motl. Dykstra on the night went three innings, giving up only two hits, allowing no runs and striking out three while walking two.

Ryan Horstman worked the seventh for the Explorers, and he also left the bases loaded with canaries after striking out Jabari Henry to end the inning. Geoff Broussard pitched the eighth letting one man reach on a walk but retiring the other 3 Canaries he faced. And Holden Helmink threw a perfect ninth inning.

The Explorers got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth after Daniel Jackson lead off the inning with a double off the right field wall.  The rookie was the only Explorer with multiple hits on the night as he also tallied a base hit in the eighth. Two wild pitches by Nicco Blank of the Canaries allowed Jackson to score.

Jay Austin lead off the bottom of the seventh with a base hit and then stole second. A throwing error by Canaries third baseman Nathan Etheridge allowed Austin to move up to 3rd. He then scored on a fielders choice by Nelson Ward to tie the game at two a piece.

The Explorers loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth but it was deemed that Canaries pitcher Christian Montgomery had reached his pitch limit for the night and both teams agreed to end the game in a tie.

The Explorers will continue their exhibition schedule tomorrow night, Thursday, May 10th, when they take on the Sioux Falls Canaries in Vermillion, South Dakota at 6:00 PM. The game will be broadcasted live on 1360 AM/94.9 FM KSCJ.

Order your tickets for the 2018 home opener (May 25th) by stopping down to the stadium box office at Mercy Field at Lewis & Clark Park, online at www.xsbaseball.com, or by calling 712-277-WINS (9467).  Group rates available for groups of 20 or more for all (50) home games on the 2018 schedule!