Sunfish Fend Off Whiskey Jacks 9-7
GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The Sioux Falls Sunfish defeated the Wheat City Whiskey Jacks 9-7 Monday, despite the Jacks scoring four unanswered runs in the latter half of the ballgame.
Whiskey Jacks shortstop Dean Bittner had a three-run double in the 9th that tightened the Sunfish lead to two runs, but the Whiskey Jacks were unable to capitalize on the extra-base hit. Bittner hit his 6th double of the year. First baseman Jake Hjelle extended his 7-game hitting streak with a pair of hits Monday, including a double. Hjelle improved his average to .343 on the season. Third baseman Jaxon Sorenson went 2-for-4, including his 4th double of the season in the 3rd inning. Designated hitter Caleb McDowell also doubled in Monday’s game, extending his hitting streak to six games. McDowell finished 1-for-4. Second baseman Garrett Olson maintained his hitting streak, going 1-for-5. Olson’s hitting streak is now six games.
Sunfish catcher Will Olson went 1-for-4, extending his hitting streak to six games. Olson doubled in the 5thinning and recorded his 20th RBI. Third baseman Norris McClure went 2-for-4 with two RBI and improved his average to .328.
Whiskey Jacks pitcher Ryan Reddemann (1-1, 18.69 ERA) recorded the loss, going 0.1 innings in relief on three hits, six runs allowed (five earned), three walks allowed, and one strikeout recorded. Reddemann has recorded three walks in three consecutive starts. Pitcher Jack Moffitt (0-3, 7.87 ERA) earned the no-decision, going four innings on two hits, three runs allowed (none earned), walking six batters and striking out one. Pitcher Jackson Harbin (0-0, 5.40 ERA) retired 13 straight batters – eight of which were strikeouts, while giving up zero runs in 4.2 innings of relief.
Sunfish pitcher Tom Sun (1-0, 1.80 ERA) collected his first win of the year in his first appearance, going five innings on five hits, giving up one run (earned), and striking out three batters. Sun also walked five batters. Pitcher Andalo Santangelo (1-2, 9.47 ERA) went one inning on three hits, three runs allowed (all earned), while only striking out one batter. Jorge Galindo (1-1, 3.44 ERA) gave up three earned runs on three innings of work, retiring five batters via strikeout.
The Whiskey Jacks (16-18) look to bounce back against the Sunfish (18-18) Tuesday in a traditional seven-inning doubleheader. First pitch starts at 5:35 p.m. (CST) at Kraft Field.
