Kyle Crigger shuts down Goldeyes in RedHawks playoff opener

Kaedan Fischer

FARGO — Kyle Crigger was lights out on the mound Wednesday night, guiding the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks to a 5-1 victory over the Winnipeg Goldeyes in Game 1 of the best-of-three West Division Series at Newman Outdoor Field.  

Crigger carved up the Winnipeg lineup, going 8.2 innings and allowing just one run in the ninth inning. 

He tied his career-high in strikeouts, punching out nine batters over 116 pitches. He allowed just eight baserunners on the night. Crigger worked four 1-2-3 innings. 

Those 8.2 innings of work matched Crigger’s career-best outing in a RedHawks uniform.  

Tyler Jeans entered with two outs in the ninth inning and earned the save. 

Eric Filia led the Hawks’ offense, going 2-for-3 with a walk and a three-run home run. Juan Fernandez smacked two singles and a double, and Jesus Lujano added on a double as well. 

The two rivals battled to a scoreless tie until the bottom of the third inning. After back-to-back singles from Lujano and Fernandez, Filia lifted a blast to right-center field, giving the RedHawks a 3-0 lead.  

With two in scoring position in the sixth and Winnipeg with its best chance to get on the board, Crigger coaxed a two-out pop-out, shutting down the Goldeyes’ chance at a rally. 

The Goldeyes got one run back in the top of the ninth, but Jeans entered and got a flyout from Max Murphy to end the ballgame. 

With the win, the RedHawks take a 1-0 series lead over the Goldeyes in the best-of-three West Division Series.  

The matchup moves to Winnipeg for Game 2 on Friday, which is scheduled for a 7 p.m. first pitch at Blue Cross Park. Game 3, if necessary, will be played on Saturday night at 7 p.m.