SIOUX CITY, IA- The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Sioux City Explorers 12-8 on Wednesday night at Lewis and Clark Park.
Nick Blasi and Steve Pearson each had four base hits, while Joe Muich drove in four. Greg Porter singled in his first at bat to extend his hitting streak to 14 games in a row. All nine Wingnuts' starters had at least one hit and one run scored.
The Wingnuts offense exploded early, scoring five runs in the top of the first. Nick Blasi leadoff the game with a double down the right field line. Two batters later, Greg Porter singled to center field to put runners on the corners. The hit set a new Wingnuts' club record, extending Porter's hitting streak to 14 straight games. Dustan Mohr lined an RBI single to left field to put Wichita on the board. With Porter in motion off of second, Kelly Hunt grounded a single through the vacated left side of the infield to make it 2-0. Joe Muich was next and hit a three-run home run over the left field fence on an 0-2 pitch.
Wichita pounded out five more runs in the second inning. Hits by Brenan Herrera, Nick Blasi, and Josh Horn opened up a 6-0 lead. Greg Porter walked to load the bases and was followed by an RBI groundout from Dustan Mohr. A walk to Kelly Hunt reloaded the bases, which setup an RBI single by Joe Muich. With the bases still full, Steve Pearson singled to center to drive in two more runs and give the Wingnuts an early 10-0 lead.
Leading 10-2 in the fifth, Michael Thompson homered on a line drive over the left field wall to extend the lead to 12-2.
Derek Blacksher started for Wichita, allowing four runs, three earned, in six innings of work. Blacksher struck out three and walked four to earn his third win of the season. Amad Stephens and Ronnie Morales pitched scoreless ball in the seventh and eighth. The Explorers rallied for four runs against Justin Young before the righty struck out Brent Dean to end the game.
The Wingnuts conclude their series with Sioux City tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. Brad Daivs matches up against lefty Trevor Fox. All the action can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at www.kgso.com The Wingnuts return home Friday, June 26th when they host the St. Paul Saints at 7:05 p.m The first 1,000 fans in attendance receive a Kevin Hooper bobblehead doll, courtesy of Big Fish Bail Bonds. The Wingnuts also host their weekly Friday postgame autographs, courtesy of KFDI. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625.
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