Redhawks Outlast Monarchs Behind Seventh-Inning Rally

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Fargo, ND – It was a Friday night showdown between two familiar foes, but the Monarchs fell to the Redhawks with an 8-6 loss in the first game of the series.

Fargo found themselves with an early lead in the second inning. After two walks and a Brian Fuentes base hit, Colby Wilkerson pushed a sac fly into right field and allowed Jose Sermo to score. Kansas City did well to get out of the jam after only surrendering one run with the bases loaded and no outs.

It only took a half inning for the Monarchs to orchestrate a response as Trevor Boone led off the frame reaching base on a dropped third strike. Brady Lindsly connected on a base hit to put two runners on and Josh Bissonette brought home Boone with a liner up the middle. KC took the lead at the end of the inning as Nick Martini was forced out at first, but Lindsly scored.

 

Both teams kept trading punches and the Redhawks retook the lead in the bottom half of the third. With runners at the corners, Fuentes cranked a ball into left field for a two-run double. Just three pitches later, Jairus Richards put a ground ball to right as Sermo and Fuentes both scored. It was a 4-2 advantage for Fargo.

Austin Hansen made his ninth start on the bump and went four innings while giving up five hits and four runs, but managed to deliver two K’s. The All-Star, Tyler Myrick, went two innings allowing one hit and grabbed two strikeouts.

The Monarchs were searching for a response and they did just that in the fifth inning. Boone kickstarted the frame with a single, but reached second via error from catcher Juan Fernandez. Josh Bissonette registered a knock and Martini smashed a ball to left to bring home Boone. JD Davis was right on cue with a two-run homer and Kansas City was back in front once again.

 

Fargo strung together a four-run seventh frame which would be the deciding factor in the contest. With two walks and a batter hit by a pitch, the bases were juiced. Richards sent a pair of runners home as he drove a fly ball into right field. Wilkerson followed it up with an RBI double which proved to be the winning hit as the Redhawks grabbed the final runs of the night.

Despite the loss, the Monarchs out-hit the Redhawks 12-8, but left nine runners on base. Kansas City (24-17) still stands four and a half games ahead of Fargo (20-22) of first place. KC will throw Jimmy Endersby (1-3, 7.54 ERA) on the mound as Fargo will go to Kolby Kiser (2-2, 8.31 ERA) for an Independence Day clash at 2:50 tomorrow afternoon.