RedHawks rally falls just short in series opener

Kaedan Fischer

FARGO — The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks made a charge late in the game Tuesday, but they fell just short, losing 13-12 in the series opener against the Sioux Falls Canaries at Newman Outdoor Field.

The RedHawks trailed by three runs entering the eighth inning but scored twice to pull within a run. Sioux Falls countered with five runs in the top of the ninth to increase their lead to six. The RedHawks scored five runs of their own in the bottom half of the ninth, but couldn’t find the equalizer.

With the loss, the RedHawks fall to 5.5 games behind the West Division leader Kansas City Monarchs. They sit one game behind the Winnipeg Goldeyes in second place and are 2.5 games ahead of fourth-place Sioux Falls. Sioux City and Lincoln round out the division, sitting four games and 7.5 games behind F-M, respectively. 

Brian Fuentes led the way for F-M, going 4-for-5 at the plate. Eric Filia went 2-for-5 with six RBIs, including a ninth-inning grand slam that brought the RedHawks within one run. Jose Sermo worked three walks and Tripp Clark smacked two hits to raise his batting average to .357, good for second among all qualified batters in the AAPB.

Kolby Kiser made his first start since July 21, tossing two scoreless innings and striking out four batters. RedHawks pitchers combined for 14 strikeouts as a staff, one short of their season high of 15.

Between the RedHawks and Canaries lineups, all 18 starters reached base safely at least once while 10 batters recorded multi-hit days.

The RedHawks will look to even the series on Wednesday in Game 2 against the Canaries. First pitch at Newman Outdoor Field is set for 7:02 p.m.