SIOUX CITY, IA- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Sioux City Explorers 7-5 in their road opener at Lewis and Clark Park on Friday night.
The Wingnuts scored three runs in the top of the eighth after there were two outs and no one on base to take the lead for good.
Kelly Hunt hit his second home run of the season, a solo shot over the left field wall in the top of the second inning to give Wichita a 1-0 lead.
After the Explorers took a 2-1 advantage in the bottom of the second, the Wingnuts regained the lead in the third. Zach Goldberg, who ended the home second with the back end of a strike him out-throw him out double play, led off with a double to left center. Two batters later, Nick Blasi evaded a tag on a wide throw from third base to put two men on. Brenan Herrera reached on an infield base hit to load the bases. Greg Porter then singled up the middle to drive home Goldberg and Blasi to give Wichita a 3-2 lead.
The Explorers grabbed the lead back scoring two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Derek Blacksher struck out the first two hitters of the inning, which gave him five consecutive strikeouts on just 17 pitches. However, back-to-back two-out singles by Nick McCoola and Anthony Webster setup an RBI single to left by Walter Young to tie the game. Webster came around to score the lead run on a throwing error by Greg Porter.
In the top of the eighth inning, Michael Thompson drew a two-out walk and was singled to third base by Steve Pearson. Zach Goldberg collected his third hit of the game with an RBI single to left field to tie the game at 4-4. Josh Horn worked out the second walk of the inning to load the bases, and then Nick Blasi singled home two runs on a line drive to left field, giving the Wingnuts a 6-4 advantage.
After the Explorers scratched out a run in the bottom of the eighth, the Wingnuts scored another insurance run on Kelly Hunt's two-out, RBI double to left.
Blacksher took a no-decision, striking out nine in six innings of work. Goldberg and Hunt each collected three hits.
Doug Hurn, who pitched a scoreless seventh inning, earned his first win of the season. Amad Stephens needed just seven pitches to pitch a perfect ninth and earn his third save.
The Wingnuts play game two of their series tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard on Sports Radio 1410AM KGSO. Wichita returns to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday night when they open a three-game series against the St. Paul Saints at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625.
-Wingnuts-
