Pheasants Explode in Comeback Over Wingnuts

SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 16-4 to the Sioux Falls Pheasants at Sioux Falls Stadium on Thursday night.

The Pheasants scored first for the first time in the series on Joe Anthonsen's RBI single through the middle in the bottom of the third

Michael Thompson tied it with a long home run left-center field, his second of the year, in the top of the fourth.

The Wingnuts strung together five consecutive two-out singles in the top of the fifth to take a 4-1 lead.  Ryan Patterson, Mario Delgado, and Michael Thompson all collected RBIs.

The Pheasants scored five times in the sixth to move back in front.  Reggie Abercrombie doubled down the left field line in the bottom of the sixth to score Gus Milner from first to cut the Wingnuts lead to 4-2.  After Doug Hurn relieved Ben Graham, the Pheasants collected four consecutive RBI hits with two outs to take a 6-4 lead.

Sioux Falls broke the game open in the seventh, plating six more runs.  Beau Torbert hit a three-run double while Trevor Lawhorn added a two-run home run later in the inning.  Brandon Sing hit a grand slam home run in the bottom of the eighth to make it 16-4.

In his professional debut, Ben Graham allowed three earned runs in 5.2 IP.  Graham struck out three and walked two in a no-decision and retired nine in a row from the third into the sixth.  Ryan Rodriguez earned the win for Sioux Falls.

The Wingnuts return home for a three-game series versus Lincoln on Friday night at 7:05 p.m.  Nick Singleton goes to the mound against right-hander Billy Weitzman.  For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS.

-Wingnuts-