Fargo-Moorhead 10, Winnipeg 9 – Box Score
The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks stranded the potential game-winning run on second base in the bottom of the ninth inning to claim an Opening Day win against the Winnipeg Goldeyes 10-9.
The game was tied 8-8 heading into the top of the eighth inning but 1B Drew Ward (2-for-5) hit a two-run home run to put the RedHawks out in front. In the ninth, the Goldeyes loaded up the bases thanks to a trio of walks. A wild pitch allowed LF Eric Rivera to score but reliever Joe Jones struck out DH Logan Hill in the next at bat to retire the side, end the threat and secure his first save of 2022.
RF John Silviano added a 2-for-5 outing for the RedHawks that included a three-run home run in the third.
Sioux City 2, Kansas City 0 – Box Score
The Sioux City Explorers shut out the defending champion Kansas City Monarchs in the first contest of the 2022 season 2-0 at Legends Field.
The Explorers took the lead in the fourth inning thanks to an RBI double from 2B Sebastian Zawada that scored SS Nate Samson. DH Nick Franklin doubled the lead in the eighth inning with his first home run of the year. On the bump, starting pitcher Kevin McCanna earned the win after working five scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out four batters. Reliever Thomas McIlraith picked up the save for working the ninth.
For the Monarchs, 2B Darnell Sweeney led the way as he went 2-for-3 with a walk.
Chicago 4, Gary SouthShore 0 – Box Score
The Chicago Dogs opened the 2022 campaign with a 4-0 win against the Gary SouthShore RailCats – holding them to just three hits in the process – at home on Friday night.
Starting pitcher Kyle Murphy (1-0) bagged his first win of the year as he went five innings and allowed just two hits while striking out six batters. Reliever Joe Cavallaro tossed two innings and allowed one hit while adding two more strikeouts. Reliever James Reeves worked a hitless eighth and Reliever Jeff Kinley struck out the side in the ninth to finish off the game.
The Dogs scored all four of their runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. 2B Grant Kay scored on an error for the first run of the night. CF Michael Crouse doubled to allow 3B Harrison Smith to score and then scored on a bases-loaded walk later in the frame. DH Danny Mars scored when LF Anfernee Grier was hit by a pitch in the next at-bat.
Milwaukee 8, Lake County 4 – Box Score
The Milwaukee Milkmen plated five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to take an 8-4 win against the Lake County DockHounds on Opening Day at Franklin Field.
The game was tied at 3-3 heading into the bottom of the eighth, but LF Will Kengor doubled home 3B Logan Trowbridge and SS Mason Davis and then scored when DH Keon Barnum (4-for-4) hit a three-run home run two batters later. For the DockHounds, LF Lamar Briggs hit a solo shot in the top of the ninth but that proved to be the final run of the game.
For the Milkmen, 1B Correlle Prime scored a pair of runs while drawing three walks. 2B Aaron Takacs added a 2-for-4 performance for the DockHounds.
Lincoln 5, Sioux Falls 1 – Box Score
The Lincoln Saltdogs started the 2022 season off on the right foot as they topped the Sioux Falls Canaries 5-1 at home on Friday night.
LF Justin Byrd (2-for-3) kickstarted the offense in the bottom of the fifth inning with a three-run home run to put the Saltdogs out in front. In the sixth, C Skyler Weber singled home 1B Matt Goodheart and, in the seventh, SS JR DiSarcina scored on a sac fly from 3B Ryan Long. The Canaries’ lone run came in the top of the eighth when CF Kona Quiggle (3-for-4) hit a solo home run.
Starting pitcher Kyle Kinman struck out seven batters in five innings and allowed just two this on the way to picking up the win.
Kane County 20, Cleburne 6 – Box Score
The Kane County Cougars belted out 16 hits on the way to a big 20-6 win on Opening Day 2022 against the Cleburne Railroaders.
Cleburne struck first as 3B Chase Simpson (2-for-5) hit a two-run home run in the top of the first but the Cougars took the bottom of the third as they scored nine runs on six hits after sending 14 batters to the plate. Kane County added four more runs in the fifth thanks to a grand slam from 2B Sherman Johnson and then five more runs in the seventh.
Pinch hitter Nick Anderson went 3-for-3 with three runs and C B.J. Lopez added a 3-for-4 showing with two RBIs and three runs. 3B D Busby, RF Ernie De La Trinidad and SS Galli Cribbs Jr. each added a pair of hits.
For the Railroaders, 1B/C Hector Sanchez went 3-for-4 and LF Hunter Wolfe went 2-for-4 with a homer.
