RedHawks Score Nine in Fourth, Rout RailCats 14-5
Published on June 25, 2009 under Northern League (NL)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
FARGO, N.D. - The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks blew open a close game by scoring nine times in the fourth inning - including six two-out runs - to beat the Gary SouthShore RailCats 14-5 Thursday afternoon at Newman Outdoor Field, completing a three-game sweep.
The RedHawks had three runs already across in the fourth to take a 5-3 lead, and had loaded the bases with one out against starter Grant Johnson (2-5). Johnson came back to strike out Kole Zimmerman for the second out before a long battle ensued with Jeremiah Piepkorn. On the eighth pitch of the at bat Piepkorn popped one up on the left side of the infield, but the RailCats lost the ball - the potential third out of the inning - in the sun, and the 'Hawks erupted to score two on the play and four more in the inning to put the game out of reach.
The win was the latest in a six-game stretch of RedHawks wins against the RailCats, in which the Fargo bats have been red hot. The hosts scored 18 runs in the first game of this series and out-scored the 'Cats 39-12 over the three games. In the last six games two clubs have played - all in Fargo, and all RedHawks wins - the 'Hawks have scored 69 runs on 93 hits.
Johnson allowed 10 earned runs in 3.2 innings, becoming the second starter in the series to allow at least 10 runs in an outing. Garry Bakker (3-2) was the beneficiary of all the offense, allowing four earned runs in seven innings to pick up his third victory.
The RailCats hit Bakker hard in the first four innings, scoring single runs in the first, third and fourth to build a 3-2 lead. Steve Haake cracked a two-out RBI double in the opening inning to put the 'Cats ahead, and Jay Pecci and Brett Walalce added the other two RBI. Pecci finished the game 3-for-4 with a pair of runs driven in.
Jeremiah Piepkorn went 4-for-5 to lead a 17-hit Fargo-Moorhead attack, with Carlo Cota adding four RBI - all in the fourth inning - and Nic Jackson going 3-for-5. Cota and Alan Rick each homered in the win.
The RailCats (17-21) will head home Friday night at 7 p.m. to open a nine-game homestand with the first of three against the Joliet JackHammers (14-23). Tom Thornton (4-3, 5.54 ERA) will start game one for the RailCats against Joliet's Jason Richardson (1-4, 3.94). The game will be broadcast live on 89.1 FM, The Lakeshore, and online at www.railcatsbaseball.com.
Northern League Stories from June 25, 2009
- Flyers Comeback Thwarted - Schaumburg Flyers
- JackHammers Get a Win - Joliet JackHammers
- Kansas City Falls to Winnipeg, 11-9, in Game Two - Kansas City Monarchs
- Leading Goldeyes Back Home to End June - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- RedHawks Score Nine in Fourth, Rout RailCats 14-5 - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- RedHawks Beat RailCats 14-5 - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Now Playing at Alexian Field - Schaumburg Flyers
- T-Bones Take Game One of Twinbill, 9-3 - Kansas City Monarchs
- Flyers Announce New Handicap Club Seating - Schaumburg Flyers
- RailCats Get Set For Extended Homestand, Millionth Fan - Gary SouthShore Railcats
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