712.277.WINS (9467)

SIOUX CITY, IA -The Explorers were stellar once again with only one run and one hit allowed in nine innings, while plating twelve big runs of their own to get the 12-1 victory over St. Paul. 

St. Paul plated the first run in the second inning off an Angelo Songco solo homer (second of the playoffs), but the Explorers would answer in the bottom half of the second, scoring two of their own to take the 2-1 lead. 

In the third, Sioux City’s bats took fire, plating six huge runs on five hits and an error. Explorers scored four of the six runs off of doubles by Ryan Court, Matt Koch and Matty Johnson. Runs number five and six were off a two-run single lined up the middle by X’s right fielder Michael Lang to take the commanding 8-1 lead. 

Explorers tacked on another in the in the sixth inning. Michael Lang led-off with a single, moved to second on a Rene Tosoni base-hit, tagged up an advanced to third off a fly out and scored the ninth run with an RBI single by Ryan Court. 

Sioux City went on to score three more runs and win it 12-1 over St. Paul. Explorers starter Patrick Johnson (1-0) received the win, allowing only one run, one hit and four walks while recording eight strikeouts. Saint’s starting pitcher Jeff Shields (0-1) was charged with the loss, giving up eight runs in 2.2 innings. 

The Explorers had four batters have two hits or more, with Michael Lang and Matt Koch having Player of the Game nights at the plate. Lang went 4 for 5 with a triple, stolen base three RBIs and a run scored, and X’s catcher Matt Koch finished the night with three hits, a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. 

The Sioux City Explorers will head to St. Paul in game three of the semifinals vs the Saints on Saturday at CHS Field, first pitch-7:05. For additional information, please call 712-277-WINS (9467), or email [email protected]