SIOUX FALLS, SD - Thursday night the Wichita Wingnuts fell back to 3.5 games out of first place, dropping an 8-1 decision to the Sioux Falls Canaries.
Wichita took an early 1-0 lead on a two-out RBI single by Bernie Dennis in the top of the second. The Canaries took a lead they would not relinquish, scoring two runs in the bottom of the third against starter Brad Davis. Paul Smyth hit a two-out RBI single to put Sioux Falls on top. The Birds scored one more in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI triple from Grant Richardson.
Rookie Adam White made his professional debut, getting out a jam in the bottom of the fifth when Richardson hit into a double play with the bases loaded and one out. White continued to impress, hurling a perfect bottom of the seventh.
The Canaries put the game out of reach in the seventh, when Tim Hutting hit a three-run homerun off of White that just cleared the right field fence.
The Wingnuts now have eight games left in the first half, trailing Sioux Falls by 3.5 games. Wichita is also 1.5 games behind the second place St. Paul Saints. Wichita returns home Friday night to host the El Paso Diablos in the first of a three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05p.m.
- Wingnuts -
