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Fargo, ND-----For the first time since July 7^th and 8^th, the Explorers have put together back-to-back wins as they defeated Fargo-Moorhead here Friday 3-1.

Rookie Ryan Lucero pitched six and two third innings, allowed one run on four hits while striking out a season high seven to pick up his first professional win.

After Fargo-Moorhead took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a Lucero wild pitch, the Explorers scored twice in the second inning, scoring on an error by the losing Red Hawks pitcher Alex Cadera and a RBI single by Bryan Pounds that gave the Explorers a 2-1 lead.

The Explorers scored their final run in the fifth inning when Anthony Kaskadden led off the inning with a double and later scored on a single by Luke Murton.

Sioux City only had five hits, but two Fargo-Moorhead pitchers gave up nine walks, the most the Explorers had received this season in one game.

Fargo-Moorhead had two opportunities to either tie or take the lead late in the game, but Explorers relief pitchers Jimmer Kennedy and Chris Bodishbaugh would strike out Nic Jackson twice, once in the seventh with the bases loaded and the final out of the game.

The Explorers and Fargo-Moorhead have now played nine times this season with the Red Hawks having won five, but six of the nine games have been decided by two runs or less.

The second game of the three game series will be played Saturday in Fargo with game time set for 7:05pm.