712.277.WINS (9467)

The Sioux City Explorers ended the season series vs St. Paul with a bang, getting the 8-6 victory over the Saints in eleven innings at CHS Field. X’s power hitter Brock Kjeldgaard ended the night with two hits, an RBI, run scored and an unusual appearance on the mound to get the save and close it out for Sioux City. 

St. Paul plated two early runs off a Ryan Lashley two-run homer in the first inning, to take the early 2-0 lead at CHS Field. 

The Explorers answered in the second, matching the Saints two runs while adding another with three runs in the inning to move ahead 3-2 after two innings of play. Matt Koch and Tim Colwell both knocked in a run with RBI singles to tie it, with Koch later scoring from third on a fielders choice. 

Another home run for St. Paul racked up three more runs for the Saints. St. Paul had runners at first and second with no outs, when first baseman Angelo Songco smashed a three run homer to retake the lead 5-3 in the early innings. 

In the fifth inning, X’s right-fielder Rene Tosoni doubled, knocking in (recently reactivated from DL) Michael Lang from first base to cut the lead to one lone run. On the next at-bat Brock Kjeldgaard ripped a base-hit to right field, plating Rene Tosoni from second base to tie it 5-5 after five innings. 

In the bottom half of the ninth inning, X’s reliever Rob Wort took the mound for the third straight inning, setting down the Saints in order with a fly-out, walked batter and double play to send it into extra-innings tied at 5-5. 

With the score still tied at 5-5 heading to the bottom of the tenth, Explorers right-hander Rob Wort returned to the mound to begin his fourth inning in relief (his longest appearance of the season). Two walks, caught stealing, fielder’s choice and a strikeout later, Wort continued his scoreless relief run on the mound, sending it to the eleventh inning still lied at 5-5 a piece. 

In the eleventh inning, Tim Colwell started the inning at second base (ITB) and advanced to third with a stolen base during the Johnson at bat, quickly putting him 90 feet from home plate. X’s centerfielder Matty Johnson worked up a no out walk and later stole second to put two runners in scoring position. X’s designated hitter Michael Lang knocked in Colwell with a base-hit to right, reclaiming the lead 6-5. 

Sioux City went on to plate two more runs in the eleventh inning, off a Rene Tosoni sac-fly RBI and an RBI double to left by X’s shortstop Noah Perio Jr to extend their commanding extra inning lead 8-5 heading into the bottom of the eleventh inning. 

In the bottom half of the eleventh, Explorers position player Brock Kjeldgaard took the mound for Sioux City, closing it out with only one run allowed in the inning to get the save, with a final score of 8-6 in eleven innings at CHS Field. 

Explorers newly acquired starting pitcher John Ely got the no decision, allowing five runs on four hits in two innings. X’s relievers Jimmer Kennedy and Billy Bullock both pitched two scoreless innings on the mound. X’s right-hander Rob Wort (9-3) went four clutch innings without a run allowed and four strikeouts to get the win. X’s power hitter/position player Brock Kjeldgaard came in to pitch, securing the victory with only one run allowed to get the save. 

Sioux City had four hitters finish the night with double-digit hits. X’s right-handed hitter Michael Lang returned from injury with a bang, going 3 for 5 with two RBIs, a stolen base and a run scored. Brock Kjeldgaard and Noah Perio both had two hits and an RBI, while X’s second baseman Ryan Court ended the series on a high note, going 2 for 4 with a run and a stolen base. 

The Sioux City Explorers will head to Lincoln for a three game series (August 21-23rd) vs the Saltdogs at Hay-Market Park. For additional information, please call 712-277-WINS (9467), or email [email protected]