RedHawks even series with clutch hits, mammoth Sermo home run
Sydney Wiseman
FARGO — The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks got good pitching, clutch hits and a mammoth 465-foot blast from Jose Sermo Tuesday night on the way to a 5-4 win over the Kansas City Monarchs in Game 2 of the American Association West Division Championship Series at Newman Outdoor Field.
With the win, the RedHawks level the best-of-five series at 1-1 as it shifts to Kansas City for Game 3 on Thursday.
All nine members of the RedHawks starting lineup collected a hit, with Jose Sermo, Eric Filia and Tucupita Marcano grabbing two and Juan Fernandez smacking three singles.
Bryce Brassfield earned the win in relief for Fargo-Moorhead, appearing two outs into the fourth inning and tossing 3.1 scoreless frames. Brassfield allowed just two baserunners and struck out four batters.
Kansas City jumped out to an early lead for the second straight day. J.D. Davis ripped a two-run double to right field in the second inning, before Tyler Gentry drove him home to bring the lead to 3.
The RedHawks got one back in the bottom half thanks to a Brian Fuentes fielder’s choice, but J.D. Davis struck again with an RBI single in the third to extend the Monarchs lead.
Juan Fernandez got on quickly with a single to lead off the bottom of the fifth. With one out and Jose Sermo up to bat, the RedHawks single-season home run leader launched his first homer of the postseason.
The blast landed in the parking lot beyond the stadium, coming off the bat at 107 mph and traveling 465 feet. It is the longest playoff home run in the American Association since Trackman was introduced in 2024.
Down one run, Eric Filia drove in Jesus Lujano in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at 4-4.
After Bryce Brassfield pitched a 1-2-3 top of the seventh, Fargo-Moorhead turned to the heart of the order in the bottom half.
With two outs, Tripp Clark ripped a line drive to right field that got past Tyler Gentry, allowing Clark to advance to third. Tucupita Marcano worked a four-pitch walk, then Brain Fuentes drove in the go-ahead run with a single to center.
Kansas City placed a runner in scoring position in both the eighth and ninth innings, but the RedHawks closed out both innings without giving up the tying run.
Jon Beymer worked a scoreless top of the eighth, paving the way for Tyler Jeans to enter in the ninth. After allowing a two-out walk to Luken Baker, Jeans struck out Grant Richardson to seal the victory.
Jeans has appeared in all four RedHawks playoff games this season and collected his third save Tuesday.
The West Division Championship Series now moves to Kansas City for Games 3 starting on Thursday. First pitch at Legends Field is set for 6:30 p.m.
Game 4 and Game 5 (if necessary) of the WDCS will be played at Kansas City on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
