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Fargo, ND - The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks used a five run third inning to propel themselves to a series opening victory over the Sioux City Epxlorers. 

The X’s coming in fresh off a series sweep of the Winnipeg Goldeyes took an early lead with a rally in the second inning. Jose Sermo and Dean Green lead off the inning with back to back singles. Sermo would go first to third on the Green single and score on a sacrifice fly by Jay Baum to give the X’s a 1-0 lead. Blake Schmit then singled and Dylan Kelly was hit by a pitch to load the bases. With two outs Luis Durango delivered a ground ball to centerfield that scored two runs and the Explorers had a 3-0 lead. 

Fargo would answer with a big two out rally in the third inning. Tim Colwell the former Explorer would start it off with a walk. Brennan Metzger then walked as well. Devan Ahart delivered a single to bring home the first run for Fargo. Leo Pina then tripled to right field scoring two runs and tied the game 3-3. Keury De La Cruz crushed his 15th home run of the year and the two run shot made it 5-3 Fargo. 

The Explorers would have chances to score in the ball game as there were a total of five innings where the Explorers would leave runners in scoring position to end an inning in which they did not score. The Explorers were a combined 1-14 with runners in scoring position in the ball game and left a total of 11 men on base. 

DJ Brown (9-2) the starter for Fargo picked up his ninth win of the year as he went 7 innings, allowing 3 runs, on 6 hits, 4 strikeouts and 3 walks. 

The Explorers had a great chance to score in the eighth against former X’s closer Geoff Broussard. They had the tying runs on base with no one out in the inning. Schmit would fly out to deep right center field where Colwell was able to make the catch on the run saving extra bases. Dylan Kelly grounded out and Dexture McCall came up with runners are second and third and two outs. McCall hit a ball deep down the right field line and just missed the right field foul pole for a go ahead three run home run by a few feet. McCall then struck out to end the inning. 

Fargo added two more runs in the ninth as insurance both of them coming on a Charlie Valerio base hit with the bases loaded. 

James Dykstra (8-3) was saddled with the loss as he allowed 7 runs in 7 innings, on 8 hits, 2 walks and strikeouts.  

The Explorers and RedHawks will play game two of the series on Tuesday as Will Solomon the southpaw takes the hill for Fargo and the X’s respond with their own left hander Ian McKinney on the bump with first pitch set for 7:02.