McGovern Strikeouts 11, Pina Smashes Go-Ahead Home Run in Win Over Saltdogs
June 2, 2023 - American Association (AA)
Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks News Release
FARGO, North Dakota - The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks takes the series opener against the Lincoln Saltdogs on a windy and humid June night at Newman Outdoor Field.
Kevin McGovern ran into trouble early as a single and an error allowed Nick Anderson to club his league-leading nineth home run of the season to allow Lincoln to jump ahead. The RedHawks would respond in the bottom half of the inning as Manny Boscan would score off a fielder's choice that turned into an error during a double play attempt to make it a 3-1 game after the first inning.
The RedHawks would put hits together, but not plate any runs until the bottom of the fourth inning. After a lead-off walk by John Silviano, Correlle Prime hit a ball off the batter's eye in center field to make it a tie ball game.
Fargo-Moorhead would not stop there as in the bottom of the sixth inning, Leo Pina would rocket a two-strike pitch over the left field wall to give the RedHawks their first lead of the night, 4-3.
McGovern was able to recover from the rough first inning in a miraculous way. Collecting 11 strikeouts, which included a stretch of striking out seven of nine Saltdog batters he faced over a three inning stretch. He would finish the night pitching seven innings, allowing four runs (three earned) off five hits, giving up zero walks on his way to his third win of the season.
Lincoln would not go down without a fight as they were able to score a run before loading the bases in the top of the eighth inning. However, John Witkowski would limit the damage and retire the side with a flyout to center field. Tanner Riley would pitch the ninth inning and close out the Saltdogs for the 6-4 final score.
With the win, Fargo-Moorhead rose to a 12-7 record and extending their AAPB West Division lead to a game and a half over the Kansas City Monarchs and the Sioux City Explorers who sit tied for second place. The RedHawks and the Saltdogs will face off again on Saturday night in game two of the weekend series from Newman Outdoor Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
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