The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks defeated the Gary SouthShore RailCats 4-2 on Friday in front of 4,026 fans on the Opening Night of the 2009 Northern League season at Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo. Fargo-Moorhead is now 1-0 on the year, while Gary is 0-1.
RailCats starter Tony Cogan struck out eight in five innings of work.
RedHawks starting pitcher LHP Broc Coffman (1-0) pitched 6.2 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts to pick up the win. RHP Tyler Chambliss pitched 0.2 innings to pick up his first save of the season. RailCats starter LHP Tony Cogan (0-1) allowed just two runs and struck out eight in 5.0 innings but took the loss.
RedHawks CF Nic Jackson hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning that scored 2B Carlo Cota from first to give the RedHawks a 2-0 lead. In the top of the eighth inning, C Alan Rick hit a two run homerun that brought home RF Jerimiah Piepkorn from first to give the RedHawks a 4-0 lead.
Gary rallied for a pair of runs in the top of the ninth inning, but Chambliss was able to close out the game for the RedHawks victory.
The RedHawks and RailCats will play the second game of their three-game series on Saturday night at Newman Outdoor Field. RHP Garry Bakker will start for Fargo-Moorhead, while Gary will counter with RHP Chris Jones. Game time is 7:02 p.m. and tickets are still available.
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