NL Sioux City Explorers

Explorers take series from Vipers

May 22, 2005 - Northern League (NL)
Sioux City Explorers News Release


Sioux City, Iowa-- After splitting the first two games this series, Mike Natale approached the mound hoping to sign, seal and deliver a win for the Sioux City Explorers season opening series. Natale, once penciled in as the number two starter, gave X's fans an impressive show. Throwing 93 pitches, he allowed only seven hits and two runs, striking out five of the Calgary Vipers' batters. After spending five seasons with the Kansas City Royals organization, making it as high as double a, Natale proved to Manager Steve Shirley that he could and would pitch through the fifth inning and leave the team with a chance to win.

Relieving Natale, right-handed pitcher, Dustin Griffith pitched one and 2/3 an inning allowing only one hit of 22 pitches. Sean Kramer was the final pitcher for the evening, closing the game with two strikeouts.

Big bats helped secure the evening¹s win. Dan Meier doubled to right center in the first inning and shot one in the right-centerfield gap for a two-run double in the 8th, taking the score to 3-7.

With the 7-4 win, X's have achieved their first series win of the season. As the song "Celebration" rang through Lewis and Clark Park, Explorers headed into the dugout with confidence. Tomorrow night the Explorers will head to Sioux Falls and face the Canaries in a four-game series. First pitch of the evening will be delivered on Monday, May 23rd at 7:00 p.m. Tom Lipari will make his first start of the season in the "Birdcage".

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