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FARGO, N.D. – The Gary SouthShore RailCats took the series opener, 6-4, over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks on Friday in front of 3,855 fans at Newman Outdoor Field.

The RedHawks (14-14) down 4-0 heading into the seventh, chased Gary starter Alain Quijano out of the game after stringing together three hits and a walk without an out.  C.J. Retherford hit a RBI single to get the ‘Hawks on the board, followed by a Todd Jennings RBI ground out to score Keith Brachold. Zach Penprase hits a single to drive in Ronnie Bourquin to cut the deficit to 4-3.

The RailCats scored two insurance runs in the eighth off a Steve Liddle RBI double and a Zac Mitchell RBI single. Clay Zavada came in for Gary in the ninth to shut the door on the RedHawks for his second save of the season.  

Quijano went six innings giving up three runs on six hits with three strikeouts before being replaced by Bill Spottiswood. Quijano improved his record to 4-2 in the win.

Both teams went scoreless through the first three innings before the RailCats (13-12) tagged Paul Burnside with three runs in the top of the fourth. Mitchell hit a two-run single to score Cristian Guerrero and Danny Pulfer. Chase Tucker followed it up with a single past a diving Bourquin to bring in Drew Martinez to give the ‘Cats at 3-0 lead.

Joe Harris got the last out in the fourth after replacing Burnside, who went 3 2/3 innings giving up three runs on four hits, with four strikeouts and three walks.

Gary’s Liddle and Mitchell both had multi-hit games for the ‘Cats and were responsible for four of the six RBIs. 

Nic Jackson was 2-for-4 for the ‘Hawks with a solo home run in the eighth off James Adkins.

Mackenzie King gave up two runs in 2 2/3 innings of work. Ethan Opsahl came in for 1 2/3 innings after returning to the bullpen for Fargo-Moorhead, giving up just one hit.

The RedHawks play again Saturday at 6 p.m. for game two of the series against the RailCats. The first 1,500 fans receive a RedHawks cap courtesy of Sanford Orthopedic & Sports Medicine. Tickets are available at fmredhawks.com or by calling (701) 235-6161.