712.277.WINS (9467)

EXPLORERS GRIND OUT VICTORY IN PRE SEASON FINALE

Yankton, SD - In the final game of the pre season schedule the Explorers defeat the Sioux Falls Canaries by a score of 4-3.  

The X’s and Canaries were both held scoreless for the first two innings of the contest before the Canaries jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 3rd thanks to lead off, back to back, home runs by Maxx Garrett and Dan Motl. Both came off of Sioux City start Taylor Jordan who went three innings, gave up two runs on 3 hits and struck out one while not walking a batter. 

The Canaries tacked on another run in the bottom of the 4th inning when Chris Jacobs launched an opposite field solo home run with two outs in the inning to make it a 3-0 lead for the birds. It came off of X’s pitcher Justin Vernia who in relief of Jordan went three innings, allowing two hits and one run, with three strikeouts and one walk. 

The Explorers finally got on the board in the seventh after threatening in multiple innings prior, stranding five base runners through six innings. Nelson Ward started the rally by getting hit in the elbow by a Bo Hellquist pitch. Dexture McCall then reached after an error by Canaries left fielder Ty Morrison. A Daniel Jackson walk then lead to a bases loaded opportunity for Dre Gleason who came through with a two run double that he pulled down the right field line. David Kerian then drove in Daniel Jackson from third with a base hit. 

Daniel Jackson then also lead off the eighth inning with a base hit, Luis Durango reached on an error by Canaries shortstop Tyler Wolfe and after a successful double steal the X’s had base runners at second and third. Jay Austin then grounded out to first base but that allowed Daniel Jackson to score from third to give Sioux City the lead at 4-3. 

Ryan Flores and Patrick Schuster combined for a scoreless seventh and eighth innings with each of them striking out two. Geoff Broussard then came in for the ninth inning and shut the door on the Canaries come back chances, picking up the save. 

The Explorers finish the pre season schedule with a 3-2-1 record. 

The X’s will begin their season on May 17th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Haymarket Park in Lincoln, NE with first pitch being at 7:05 pm. The Explorers will play four games in Lincoln before a day off on Monday. They then play three games in Sioux Falls against the Canaries before coming home to Mercy Field at Lewis and Clark Park. The X’s home opener will be Friday, May 25th versus the Cleburne Railroaders with first pitch at 7:05 pm

Order your tickets for the 2018 home opener (May 25^th) 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!