Winnipeg 5, Cleburne 3 – Box
Left fielder Josh Romanski blasted a three-run home run in the seventh inning to break a 2-2 tie and lead the defending champion Winnipeg Goldeyes to a 5-3 win over the Cleburne Railroaders. This was Cleburne’s first game of their inaugural season with the American Association. Romanski had two hits on the night in five at-bats along with a pair of runs scored. Goldeyes CF Reggie Abercrombie went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a RBI with 1B Shawn Pleffner collecting two hits and a run batted in. Goldeyes reliever Victor Capellan struck out two hitters in a scoreless seventh inning to earn his first victory of the year. For the Railroaders, 1B Geraldo Valentin had a 2-for-4 night with a RBI.
Fargo-Moorhead 5, Texas 3 – Box
The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks started the 2017 campaign on a high note as they jumped out an early lead and defeated the Texas AirHogs by the score of 5-3. Fargo-Moorhead 1B Mitch Delfino was the star at the plate offensively as he went 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBI. RedHawks SS Yhoxian Medina added two hits in four at-bats with a run scored while 3B Josh Mazzola collected a double and drove in a pair of runs. Fargo-Moorhead starting pitcher Tyler Alexander tossed 6 2/3 innings to pick-up his first victory of the season. Alexander allowed an earned run on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts. For Texas in the losing cause, SS Beamer Weems hit a third inning two-run home run.
Sioux City 2, Sioux Falls 1 – Box
Sioux City scored both of their runs in the first inning and would make the lead hold up the rest of the way as the Explorers edged past the Sioux Falls Canaries by the score of 2-1. Sioux City received a terrific performance from their starting pitcher James Needy and three relievers. Needy tossed the first 5 1/3 innings giving up an earned run on five hits with two walks and nine strikeouts. The bullpen trio of Kevin McCanna, Brad Orosey and PJ Francescon allowed no walks and only two hits while striking out nine over the final 3 2/3 innings to preserve the victory. Needy collected the win while Francescon garnered the save.
St. Paul 5, Gary SouthShore 2 – Box
The St. Paul Saints scored all five of their runs in the sixth inning behind home runs from 3B Nate Hanson and 2B Tony Thomas to take home a 5-2 victory over Gary SouthShore. Both of the home runs came with two out as Hanson launched a three-run shot while Thomas followed up two batters later with a two-run home run. Hanson along with 1B Brady Shoemaker each had two hits on the night. St. Paul starting pitcher Mark Hamburger was very solid in picking up his first win of the year. Hamburger tossed 8 1/3 innings giving up two runs, both unearned, on seven hits and fanning eight batters. For Gary SouthShore in the losing effort, C Jaime Del Valle drove in both runs in a 2-for-4 night.
Salina at Wichita (Postponed – Rain)
The game between Salina and Wichita was postponed due to rain. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Saturday, May 20 at 5:00 PM.
