A dramatic ninth-inning three-run home run from Matt Kroon lifted the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks to a thrilling 6-5 comeback victory over Adam Hall's Winnipeg Goldeyes at Blue Cross Park, completing a clean sweep in Game Two of the West Division Series.
The result secures a 2-0 sweep in the best-of-three series for Fargo-Moorhead, propelling them into the West Division Championship Series against either the Sioux Falls Canaries or Kansas City Monarchs, while bringing a heartbreaking end to Winnipeg's postseason run.
Second baseman Hall produced a solid evening at the plate for the hosts, finishing with two hits from his four appearances, but could only watch on as the visitors staged a ruthless late assault.
The RedHawks struck first in the top of the second inning when Tucupita Marcano singled, stole second, and crossed home plate following an error in left field on Brian Fuentes' high fly ball. Kroon then sparked a second run in the fourth, leading off with a double before scoring on another Fuentes base hit to double the advantage.
Winnipeg mounted an immediate response in the bottom of the fourth. Ramón Bramasco and Ray-Patrick Didder led off with singles before Noah Marcelo grounded out to bring home Bramasco. First baseman Roby Enríquez then launched a two-run shot over the right-field wall to edge the Goldeyes into a 3-2 lead.
Fargo-Moorhead leveled matters in the fifth through Kroon's fielder's choice, but Winnipeg appeared to seize control in the late innings.
After three consecutive walks loaded the bases in the seventh, Kevin García drove in Enríquez on a fielder's choice to restore a 4-3 lead. Didder then provided what seemed to be a crucial insurance run in the eighth, crushing a solo home run to left field to extend the cushion to two.
However, the RedHawks produced a stunning final act in the top of the ninth. Tripp Clark was hit by a pitch and advanced on a wild delivery before Dillon Thomas drew a walk, setting the stage for Kroon to deposit a towering three-run blast into the stands and snatch a dramatic victory.
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