Fargo-Moorhead 6, Chicago 5 – Box Score
The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks walked off on the Chicago Dogs 6-5 in game three to take a 2-1 lead in the North Division Championship Series.
The RedHawks were trailing 5-4 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning but pinch hitter Nick Novak singled and 3B Leobaldo Pina reached on a fielder’s choice before Novak scored on a wild pitch to tie the score. Pina scored the game winning run when RF John Silviano singled.
The Dogs took the early lead in the game as 1B K.C. Hobson singled home LF Brennan Metzger in the top of the first. In the second, CF Anfernee Grier hit a lead-off home run to take a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the second, SS Sam Dexter (3-for-3) doubled to score CF Alex Boxwell (2-for-3) to pull the RedHawks within a run.
In the fourth, DH Michael Crouse pushed the Dogs’ lead to two runs as he reached on a fielder’s choice and C Ryan Lidge (2-for-4) scored on an error. In the fifth, Dexter scored when 2B Manuel Boscan bounced out to second and the RedHawks took the lead in the seventh when Boxwell scored on a single from Boscan and 1B Correlle Prime scored on a wild pitch. The seventh inning rally was cut short as Grier made a highlight reel catch in center field to strand three runners on base.
In the top of the eighth, Metzger reached on an error and that allowed both 3B T.J. Bennett (3-for-5) and Grier to score to put the Dogs back on top, setting the stage for the dramatic ninth.
Reliever Luke Lind earned the win for working the ninth inning without allowing a hit or a walk.
Game four is set for Wednesday, September 15 at 6:30 p.m. The winner of the NDCS will see the Kansas City Monarchs in the American Association Championship Series.
