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FARGO, N.D. --- A majority of the 2,872 fans came to Newman Outdoor Field excited for a fireworks show to follow Friday night’s game. The RedHawks decided that they just couldn’t wait until the postgame, tallying 19 hits and five home runs on their way to a comfortable 15-1 win against the Cleburne Railroaders in the first game of a three-game series in Fargo. First baseman Correlle Prime went 5-for-5 with two home runs, three runs scored, and 5 RBIs — his second five-hit night of the season.

Fargo-Moorhead got consistent batting from almost everyone in the lineup, as eight of nine batters had at least one hit. Four different players (Prime, Boscan, Pina, and George) had at least a home run and three hits. Despite scoring their second highest run total of the year (17 runs - 5/26 vs Chicago), the RedHawks spread out the scoring throughout the game. The RedHawks scored a run in six different innings and hit five total home runs on Friday night compared to that night against Chicago, when Fargo-Moorhead scored all its runs in two innings and didn’t hit a home run.

Gage Hinsz got better as the night went on despite a slow start, as he allowed three hits and a run in the top of the first inning. However Hinsz, who came into the game with a 7.71 ERA, only allowed three more hits through his 7.0 innings of work and got his second win of the season. The RedHawks then turned to Cole Christensen to close out the game. Christensen gave up one hit and one walk while striking out three over 2.0 innings in his season debut.

Both teams made outstanding defensive plays throughout the entire game. In the top of the eighth inning, RedHawks left fielder Will Zimmerman gunned down Zach Nehrir as he was trying to stretch a single into a double to end the inning. The Railroaders, despite making three errors in the game, had some web games of their own. Third baseman Chase Simpson snagged a hot shot down the line and gunned down Sam Dexter in the fifth inning and right fielder Hunter Clanin made a show-stopping diving catch to end the seventh inning and strand two runners.

The RedHawks and Railroaders will continue their series with a 6:00 p.m. game tomorrow night at Newman Outdoor Field. Cleburne is expected to start LHP Michael Gunn (1-2, 4.94 ERA) and Fargo-Moorhead’s starter has yet to be determined. The first 1,000 fans at Newman Outdoor Field on Saturday evening will receive a free RedHawks pennant courtesy of Dippin’ Dots.

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