712.277.WINS (9467)

BOX SCORE

Fargo, ND-The Explorers scored five runs in a big fifth-inning to break open a one-run game and won the series finale over the RedHawks 10-5 Sunday afternoon at Newman Outdoor Field.  

Sioux City (44-49) finished its five-game road swing through Sioux Falls and Fargo with a 3-2 record. The Explorers also closed out their season series with the RedHawks (39-53) at 7-7. The X’s opened the scoring early and often with two runs in each of the first two innings. Leading off the first, Oscar Mesa reached on an infield error. A single to center by Tim Colwell moved Mesa to third. Mesa then scored the first run on a fielder’s choice from Rene Tosoni (pictured). Tosoni later scored for a 2-0 lead as Tom Mendonca was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

The Explorers added to the ledger in the second. Michael Lang reached base with a one-out single to right. Oscar Mesa followed with a walk. A double steal put runners at second and third. A two-out single to center by Rene Tosoni scored both Lang and Mesa for a 4-0 cushion.

Fargo-Moorhead fought its way back into the game with a three-spot in the third. Nic Jackson reached on a one-out walk. After stealing second, Jackson scored as C.J. Retherford doubled to right. A double by Sawyer Carroll plated Retherford to cut the deficit to 4-2. After another double by Michael Thompson, Carroll scored on a two-out, bases-loaded walk and it was 4-3.

Sioux City busted it open with the five-run fifth. Rene Tosoni led off the inning with a single to left. Brock Kjeldgaard also singled to left. A ground out advanced both runners up a base. Tom Mendonca singled to right and scored Tosoni for a two-run lead. A walk of Amos Ramon loaded the bases. Kjeldgaard scored for a 6-3 lead as Dillon Usiak reached on an infield error. After a Fargo pitching change, Mendonca came home on a passed ball. A single by Oscar Mesa brought in Ramon and Usiak for a 9-3 advantage.

The RedHawks posted a single mark in the bottom of the fifth. Each team managed to push a run across in the seventh for the final scoring. On the mound, Geoff Broussard picked up the win in relief for Sioux City. Broussard (8-1) pitched one inning and did not allow a hit. Fargo starter Taylor Stanton suffered the loss. Stanton (5-11) worked four-and-a-third and gave up nine runs (five earned) on seven hits with two strikeouts and three walks.

Sioux City outhit Fargo-Moorhead 13-12. Oscar Mesa and Rene Tosoni led the way for the Explorers. Mesa and Tosoni each went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Brock Kjeldgaard and Michael Lang both had two-hit games with a run apiece. For the RedHawks, C.J. Retherford was 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Fargo left 16 runners stranded, and committed three errors in the contest.     

Sioux City has just one home series remaining this season. It takes place this coming Tuesday through Thursday against Gary SouthShore. For ticket information and promotion specials at Lewis & Clark Park, call 712-277-WINS or visit the Explorers website at www.xsbaseball.com.