Fargo Forces Game 5, Winner Take All Tomorrow Night

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Kansas City, KS — It was a frustrating night at Legends Field as the Monarchs left 12 runners on base and fell 6-3 to the Redhawks on Friday night.

Fargo grabbed a quick lead in the second inning as Jose Sermo homered on the first pitch of the frame. Matt Kroon followed it up with a base-hit and then Dillon Thomas nuked a ball 442 feet to go in front 3-0.

It was a quick response from KC as Sahid Valenzuela led off with a double and it was followed by an RBI from Hudson Head on a ball slapped into right field. The Monarchs got back in the game and were only down a pair.

That was quickly erased as Jesus Lujano opened the third inning with a base-hit and then two batters later, Eric Filia hooked an opposite-field homer to give the Redhawks their largest lead with a four-run advantage.

Both teams were trading runs when Tyler Gentry led off the bottom of the third with a walk and shortly after, Onix Vega tapped a ball into center field which brought home Gentry to cut into the deficit.

Michael Mariot got the start on the bump and really struggled in his second playoff start. He allowed six hits, six runs, and failed to throw a strikeout. The bullpen settled down in the back half of the game as Nate Webb, Buddy Reed, and Ryan Middendorf each put up a zero to go with four strikeouts.

In the fourth frame, Tripp Clark collected a one-out knock while Tucupita Marcano walked. This allowed Brian Fuentes to line a ball up the middle and bring home Clark for the sixth Fargo run.

Luken Baker tallied his 29th homer of the season in the seventh inning on a solo blast to left center, but it was unfortunately the final run tonight.

The Monarchs had many opportunities to cut into this lead. They left two runners on base in the fourth, sixth, seventh, and eighth inning. It was a tough night as they put themselves in good position with 10 hits, but could not find a way to collect timely knocks. They had runners 90 feet away multiple times, but there were massive strikeouts from the Fargo bullpen that shaped the way this game would play out.

Kansas City will have to move on from this loss because all eyes turn to tomorrow night. With a spot in the championship series on the line, the Monarchs will have to be laser focused on their approach to tomorrow’s game. Both these teams will duke it out for one final tomorrow tomorrow night. First pitch is at 6:35 in a must-win game.