RedHawks edge Lincoln at Newman

FARGO - Newman Outdoor Field continued to have a friendly vibe for the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.

Ryan Stovall cracked a two-run home run that sparked a five-run seventh inning Friday night. That late rally vaulted the RedHawks to a 9-5 victory against the Lincoln Saltdogs in American Association baseball before a sellout crowd of 4,469 fans.

The RedHawks (47-25) extended their home winning streak to 12 games. F-M hasn't lost at Newman since July 1 when it suffered an 8-4 loss against the St. Paul Saints.

"In our clubhouse and in our dugout, there is never a doubt in our mind that we are going to lose," said RedHawks second baseman Carlo Cota, who had three RBIs. "Or at worst-case scenario, we are going to be in the game in the ninth inning."

The RedHawks didn't take their first lead until the seventh inning Friday night. The right-handed swinging Stovall got the rally started with an opposite-way, two-run homer over the wall in right field. Designated hitter Ryan Delgado added an RBI single. Cota capped the game-shifting inning with a two-out, two-run single that gave F-M a 7-4 lead.

The RedHawks sent 11 batters to the plate in the seventh inning.

"All of our late runs, we keep making adjustments at the plate," Cota said.

After falling behind by three runs early, the RedHawks scratched across two runs in the fourth inning. Catcher Todd Jennings started the rally, dumping an RBI single into right field that scored Eric Campbell from third base. Cota followed with an RBI groundout that cut the Lincoln lead to 3-2.

The Saltdogs took a 4-2 lead in the top of the seventh inning after left fielder Matt Forgatch smacked a solo home run to right field.

Lincoln was unable to protect that cushion.

RedHawks starter Jake Laber (5-5) pitched seven solid innings to earn the victory. The left-hander scattered nine hits and allowed four runs.

"One thing that's been consistent all year has been our pitching," Cota said. "When you have a pitching staff like ours, it makes it a whole lot easier."

RedHawks closer Tom Boleska struck out the only batter he faced in the ninth inning for the game's final out. Boleska earned his league-leading 22nd save. That game ended at 11:24 p.m. after the start was delayed 1 hour, 28 minutes due to rain.

NOTES: Right-hander Tyler Herron (6-3, 3.92 ERA) is slated to start today for the RedHawks. Lincoln is expected to counter with left-hander Tommy Palica (2-6, 7.48 ERA). ... Lincoln pitching coach Jarrett Gardner was ejected from the game in the fourth inning. ... Friday's crowd of 4,469 fans was F-M's sixth sellout this season. F-M has a 26-12 road record, which is tops in the American Association.

LINCOLN REDHAWKS

ab r h bi ab r h bi

Smith cf 5 0 0 0 Pnprse ss 2 1 1 0

Rohan 1b 4 1 1 0 Stovall rf 5 1 2 2

Epinsa 2b 3 1 1 0 Jckson cf 4 1 1 0

Holdrn dh 4 0 2 1 Cmpbll 3b 4 3 2 0

Prvnchr rf 4 2 3 2 Gaston lf 5 1 1 0

Forgtch lf 4 1 2 2 Delgdo dh 4 2 2 2

Chaca ss 3 0 1 0 Rdriguz 1b 3 0 1 0

Wilder 3b 4 0 0 0 Jenings c 3 0 1 1

Cvrstne c 3 0 0 0 Cota 2b 4 0 1 3

Totals 35 5 10 5 Totals 34 9 12 8

Lincoln 100 200 101-5 10 2

RedHawks 000 200 52x-9 12 0

E-Smith (1), Rohan (14). LOB- RedHawks 10, Lincoln 5. 2b-Espinosa (10), Holdren (14), Provencher (16), Stovall (8), Delgardo (23). HR-Provencher (7), Forgatch (5), Stovall (5). SB- Provencher (13), Campbell (10)

LINCOLN

IP H R ER BB SO

Edwards 6 8 4 4 4 5

Melendez, L Xc 3 3 3 2 0

Parker Zc 0 0 0 1 1

Spink 1 1 2 1 1 2

REDHAWKS

IP H R ER BB SO

Laber, W 7 9 4 4 0 3

Dahman Xc 0 0 0 0 0

Harris 1 1 1 1 3 2

Boleska Zc 0 0 0 0 1

Umpires-unavailable. Time-2:54. A-4,469.

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