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Explorers Pound Lincoln For Fifth Straight Win

Lincoln, NE (June 23, 2021) – The Sioux City Explorers dominated every facet of the game as they scored twelve runs, pounded out seventeen hits and got a good start from Joe Riley to beat the Lincoln Saltdogs 12-1. 

Sioux City put two runs on the board in the top of the first with a Nate Samson double and a Chris Clare single to get an early 2-0 advantage. 

The flood gates truly opened in the third inning as Sioux City plated five runs in the inning. Samson earned his second RBI on the night scoring Sermo after his double. Samson scored on a Milligan double. A Zawada base hit scored a pair and a Mitch Ghelfi fielder's choice to right field topped off the rally to give Sioux City a 7-0 lead in the third. 

All seven runs were credited to the losing pitcher John Richy (2-3) as he lasted only three innings tonight allowing ten hits. This was the second start of the year in which Richy was chased by the X’s after he gave up seven runs. In his two starts against Sioux City this year Richy has now allowed 14 runs in eight innings of work and has given up 22 hits. 

Sioux City’s offense continued to roll in the fourth inning scoring another three runs. Jose Sermo walked to lead off the inning, stole second and third and then scored on a wild pitch to bring himself home. Chris Clare again plated Nate Samson with a double and Zawada brought Clare home on a base hit putting the X’s up 10-1. 

All nine starters for the X’s had a hit, as Sioux City pounded out 17. All nine also contributed either a run or an RBI in the effort. Five had multi-hit nights and three players; Clare, Zawada and Monge had three hit ball games. 

On the other side for Sioux City their rookie right hander Joe Riley (1-1) was dominant in just the third start of his young career. Riley earned his first professional win as he twirled six innings of one run ball allowing just three hits, walked four and struck out a career high seven. 

Sioux City added another two runs in the eighth to give the game its final score 12-1. 

The X’s now go for the sweep against Lincoln on Thursday with first pitch set for 7:05 pm. The pitching matchup will feature dueling lefties as Lincoln sends Kyle Kinman (2-1, 2.90) against Sioux City’s Brett Adcock (1-3, 4.59).