Kids ran the bases late Sunday afternoon at Newman Outdoor Field, following the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 4-3 Northern League victory against the Gary SouthShore RailCats.
The afternoon-game tradition is likely the most activity the base paths will get until next month.
The RedHawks (17-4) start a 14-game road trip today at Midway Stadium in St. Paul and won't return to Newman until July 1.
"We need to not dwell on how long it's going to be," said RedHawks manager Doug Simunic, whose team has won 14 of its last 16 games.
The trip may prove to be the difference in the race for the first-half crown in the Northern League West Division.
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Second-place Lincoln has stayed close to the division-leading RedHawks, even though F-M is off to its second-best start in club history.
"Even though we are 13 games over .500, we feel Lincoln is breathing right on us," Simunic said. "We're talking about a two-horse race right now."
The RedHawks earned their third consecutive one-run victory against Gary Sunday to sweep the three-game series.
Designated hitter Eddie Gerald drove in the game-winning run in the eighth inning, stroking a run-scoring single to right field.
"The sign of a good team is to find a way to pull out the one-run games," Gerald said. "I guess you can say we are a pretty decent team."
RedHawks closer Steve Montgomery pitched a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his third save in three days and fifth on the season.
Montgomery saw limited save opportunities early this season with the RedHawks' offense posting big numbers.
F-M was averaging 7.3 runs per game entering the Gary series. But the RedHawks scored just 11 runs in the last three games against the RailCats.
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"It's a good feeling because our offense struggled this series and we still came out with a sweep," Montgomery said. "But the offense came up big late in all three ball games."
Making his fourth appearance and second start this season, RedHawks left-handed pitcher Mike Peschel pitched 6-plus solid innings Sunday.
The former North Dakota State standout allowed just four hits and three runs, but picked up a no decision.
"Peschel stayed out of trouble for the most part and was really efficient with his pitches," Simunic said of the rookie. "He battled pretty good on a tough day with the wind blowing out."
The RedHawks are slated to send left-hander Jodie Kennedy (3-1, 2.59 ERA) to the mound today against the Saints, who lead the East Division.
St. Paul is expected to counter with left-handed staff ace Jake Whitney (5-0, 1.87 ERA).
"Now we're playing one of the elite teams and obviously something has to give," Simunic said. "The biggest thing is not to get stuck on the same number in the win column."
NOTES: RedHawks second baseman Brian Ward was out of the lineup Sunday with back spasms. Ward is batting .311 with two home runs and 16 RBI, playing in 20 games. ... Here are some of the vital statistics for the upcoming 14-day road trip. The RedHawks will travel approximately 1,400 miles and burn $8,400 in meal money alone. ... F-M ran its season-high winning streak to six consecutive games Sunday, capped the team's third three-game sweep this season.
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GARY REDHAWKS
ab r h bi ab r h bi
Brown cf 4 0 0 0 Mathis cf 5 1 1 0
Carptnr rf 3 0 1 0 Foley rf 4 1 2 0
Battle 3b 4 0 0 0 Sprout ss 3 0 1 1
Chambrln 1b 4 1 1 0 Weber lf 4 0 1 0
Pinto dh 4 2 3 2 Salazar 2b 4 2 1 0
Thompson lf 4 0 1 0 Rmfield 1b 3 0 1 0
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Kent c 2 0 0 0 Gerald dh 4 0 1 1
Templtn 2b 4 0 1 1 Goldbach c 3 0 1 0
Edwards ss 3 0 0 0 Drmnen 3b 4 0 0 0
Totals 32 3 7 3 34 4 9 3
Gary 000 200 100--3 7 1
RedHawks 101 001 01x--4 9 0
E--Templeton (5). LOB--Gary 5, RedHawks 9. 2B--Pinto (8), Mathis (4), Foley (5), Sprout (11), Weber (5), Salazar (5). HR--Pinto (3). SH--Kent. CS--Templeton.
IP H R ER BB SO
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Gary
Coleman 7 6 3 2 1 3
Orr L,0-1 0 1 1 1 0 0
Harrison 1 2 0 0 1 0
RedHawks
Peschel 6Zc 4 3 3 1 3
Sansom W,3-0 1Xc 2 0 0 0 1
Montgomery S,5 1 1 0 0 0 3
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Orr faced one batter in the 8th
HBP--by Peschel, Carpenter; by Coleman, Sprout.
Umpires--Home: Ralph Willcott, First: Brad Hungerford, Third: Ben Franson. Time--2:36. A--4,364.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Eric Peterson at (701) 241-5513
