RedHawks lose finale, but finish season strong

FARGO-If Zach Penprase doesn't return to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks next season, the veteran shortstop finished his career with the franchise with a flourish.

Penprase made a slick charging catch-and-throw to first base for the final out in the top of the ninth inning Monday at Newman Outdoor Field. In the home half of the ninth, Penprase added an RBI single in F-M's 10-7 loss against the Amarillo ThunderHeads in American Association baseball before 4,102 fans.

"I would love Zach to come back," RedHawks manager Doug Simunic said. "I don't think anything is solidified in stone."

Penprase, who has played for the RedHawks for eight seasons, wasn't ready to make a decision after Monday's season finale. F-M ended the season with a 44-56 record, finishing with a losing record and missing the postseason for a second consecutive year.

"I'm always thinking about next year," said Penprase, who went 3-for-5 against Amarillo to end his season with a .303 batting average. "I'll have to think about it. I don't really have an answer for you on that one."

Penprase was one of the reasons the RedHawks finished the season strong, winning 21 of their final 29 games. F-M was 25 games below .500 (23-48) at one point before getting hot.

"Once we started getting a roll ... we just picked up and became one of the hottest teams in the league," said Penprase, who also had two stolen bases Monday afternoon to get to 30 for the season.

After the final out was recorded, RedHawks players gathered in front of the home dugout and waved to the fans in appreciation.

"The last third of the season, I thought we played pretty well," said Simunic, who has guided the team to 17 winning seasons and five league championships in his 20 years with the team. "It was a very good comeback by the team."

RedHawks team owner Bruce Thom also announced Monday that Simunic would return next season. With 25 games remaining in the season, Thom said he was going to wait until the end of the season to make a decision on Simunic's future with the team. Simunic is under contract through the 2017 season.

"There are a lot of good parts to the puzzle here," said Simunic, looking forward to next season.

If Penprase decides to return, he would be one of the key pieces. Simunic also likes the team's outfield, comprised of left field Chad Mozingo, center fielder Drew Muren and right fielder Joe Dunigan.

Simunic said catcher Luke Bailey, who was added late in the season, has the potential to hit 20 home runs in a season. Paired with catcher Charlie Valerio, that would give the team a good combination at that spot, Simunic said.

Third base and bullpen are two areas that would need to be addressed. Right-handed closer Mike Nesseth was solid at the back end, but F-M was young and inconsistent as a whole in the bullpen.

"It's going to take some offseason help," Simunic said. "We're going to need to find some help."

Simunic said he would like to bring back around three starters off this team for next summer, but would have to see how that plays out in the offseason. Left-handed starter Brandon Mann, who is 31 years old, finished the season with 157 strikeouts to set a new RedHawks and American Association record.

"It's all there, we had to try to kickstart the pieces and get them going and we did," Simunic said. "We just need a couple guys that can challenge the scoreboard."

AMARILLO REDHAWKS

ab r h bi ab r h bi

Ibarra 3b 3 0 1 1 Pnprs ss 5 2 3 2

Levert 1b 4 0 0 1 Muren cf 5 1 2 1

Grtrll dh 5 2 2 0 Mzngo lf 4 1 2 2

Rdrgz rf 5 1 1 1 Bailey c 4 0 1 1

Valntn 2b 4 2 2 2 Dngn rb-rf 4 0 0 0

Kjrstd cf 5 2 2 2 Vlro 1b-3b 4 0 1 0

Guida lf 4 1 1 0 Pineda 2b 4 0 1 0

Urps ss 4 1 0 1 Leach dh 4 1 1 0

Bass c 4 1 1 1 Tchr 3b-rf 2 2 1 0

Totals 38 10 10 9 Totals 36 7 12 6

A 100 040 050-10 10 0

F-M 004 000 201-7 12 4

2B-Gartrell (25), Valentin (24), Penprase (28), Tescher (1). HR-Kjerstad (11). SB-Penprase 2 (30), Muren (19), Mozingo 2 (20). CS-Bass (4), Pineda (1). SF-Leveret (8). HP-Tescher (1). LOB-A 8, F-M 4. DP-A 0, F-M 1. E-Tescher 3 (4), Mann (3).

AMARILLO

IP H R ER BB SO

Mirowski 6 7 4 4 0 12

Gleese Z\c 2 2 2 0 0

Reed X\c 1 0 0 0 1

Haynes, W 1 0 0 0 0 2

Barrett 1 2 1 1 0 1

REDHAWKS

IP H R ER BB SO

Mann, L 7 8 8 2 2 10

Cooney 0 0 2 1 3 0

Chudy 1 2 0 0 0 1

Waite 1 0 0 0 0 1

Umpires-Home: Loe. Time-2:59. A-4,102.