Kroon’s ninth-inning homer leads RedHawks to series win
Colby Spence / Winnipeg Goldeyes
WINNIPEG — Faced with a two-run deficit and only two outs away from Winnipeg forcing a winner-take-all game at home, Matt Kroon launched a three-run home run over the left field wall to lead the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks to a 6-5 come-from-behind win over the Goldeyes in Game 2 of the West Division Series Friday night at Blue Cross Park.
With the win, the RedHawks defeat the Goldeyes in the WDS 2-0 and advance to the West Division Championship Series, where they will face either the Sioux Falls Canaries or Kansas City Monarchs in a best-of-five contest beginning Monday night.
Kroon’s three-run shot put the RedHawks in front after the Goldeyes took the lead with a run in both the seventh and eighth innings.
The Arizona native finished the game 2-for-5 with four RBIs and a pair of runs scored.
Tyler Jeans handled business in the ninth to earn the save and seal the opening-round series win for Fargo-Moorhead.
Parker Harm put in a solid outing in his first playoff start, allowing four runs on six hits with four strikeouts over six innings of work. Jon Beymer pitched a scoreless inning and Mason Pelio pitched the eighth.
The RedHawks got on the board first in the second inning, capitalizing on a Winnipeg error that allowed Tucupita Marcano to score from second on a routine fly ball to left field off the bat of Brian Fuentes.
An RBI single from Fuentes in the fourth doubled the F-M lead before Winnipeg answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning.
Kroon’s RBI fielder’s choice in the fifth quickly knotted the score again at 3-3.
The RedHawks are now 8-5 all-time in playoff series against the Goldeyes and 2-2 against Winnipeg in AAPB playoff series. Fargo-Moorhead advances to the Division Championship series for the sixth time in the last seven full seasons.
Fargo-Moorhead will open the West Division Championship Series against either Kansas City or Sioux Falls on Monday night. The RedHawks would host Games 1 and 2 against Kansas City in Fargo or travel to Sioux Falls for Games 1 and 2 should the Canaries advance.
WDCS game times are to be announced.
MATT. KROON.
— Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (@FMRedHawks) September 12, 2026
REDHAWKS LEAD 6-5 IN THE 9TH! pic.twitter.com/pF9sIko1L3
