FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Media Contact: Jon Versteeg
July 3, 2007 860-309-9293 cell

REDHAWKS BEAT JACKHAMMERS 11-5 ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON

FARGO, ND-The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (23-19) scored three runs in the fifth inning thanks to two errors and took a 6-2 lead in a game they eventually won 11-5 over the Joliet JackHammers (19-24) at Newman Outdoor Field in front of 2,826 people on Thursday afternoon.

The JackHammers scored one run in the first inning against RedHawks starting pitcher Mark Michael (3-3). Cory Harris (2-4) hit a two-out solo home run off of Michael over the right centerfield wall. The JackHammers took a 1-0 lead.

The RedHawks scored two runs in the second inning against JackHammers starter Nick Renault (5-3) to take a 2-1 lead. Juan Melo (2-4) and Adam Shorsher (1-2) worked back-to-back walks Darryl Lawhorn (2-4) followed with an RBI single to right field to tie the game at 1-1.

Shorsher advanced to second base on Lawhorn’s single and took third base on a wild pitch. Joe Mathis (0-4) hit a sacrifice fly to score Shorsher and give the RedHawks a 2-1 lead.

Joliet tied the game at 2-2 with a solo home run from catcher Dennis Blackmon (2-4) in the third inning. Blackmon took a pitch over the outfield wall in right centerfield to tie the game at 2-2.

The RedHawks re-took a one run lead with a solo home run by Ruben Salazar (2-5). They took a 3-2 lead after three innings.

In the fifth inning, Fargo-Moorhead scored three runs against the JackHammers to take a 6-2 lead. Tydus Meadows (3-5) hit a one-out double and Richard Austin (2-5) reached base on an error.

Salazar hit an RBI single to score Meadows and make it 4-2. Shorsher hit a single to score Austin and then Salazar scored on an error to give the RedHawks a 6-2 lead.

In the sixth inning, Chris Brown (1-4) hit a one-out single and scored on a two-run home run by Juan Diaz (1-4). Chad Ehrnsberger (1-3) reached base on an error by the RedHawks short stop Kory Wayment and scored on an RBI single by Tim Hutting (1-4) to bring the JackHammers within one run at 6-5.

Fargo-Moorhead scored four runs in the seventh inning on a grand slam home run by Lawhorn. The RedHawks took a 10-5 lead.

Meadows hit a leadoff home run against JackHammers right-hander Steve Russell in the eighth inning to make it 11-5.

Loose Gravel: Thursday’s game was the final road game of the 2007 Northern League First Half Season. The JackHammers will play a five –game series with the Edmonton Cracker-Cats at Silver Cross Field beginning Wednesday night before closing out the first half after Sunday’s game in Joliet.

Joliet now travels home to take on the Edmonton Cracker-Cats Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Chicagoland and Northwerst Indiana Chevy Dealers will present an extended fireworks show after the game! Brian Forystek (0-0, 3.27) will get the start for Joliet against Scott Richmond (6-2, 3.82). If you can’t come out to the ballpark, be sure to listen in on AM 1340 WJOL and online at www.jackhammerbaseball.com. The pre-game show begins at 6:50 p.m.

Great seats are available throughout the entire 2007 season! The JackHammers return home to Silver Cross Field on Wednesday, July 4^th! For tickets or for more information, please give the JackHammers a call at (815) 762-BALL (2255), go online to www.jackhammerbaseball.com or stop by the Silver Cross Field Box Office during normal business hours.

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