WINNIPEG GOLDEYES DAILY CLIPPINGS

TUESDAY, JUNE 29th , 2021

- RedHawks Third Baseman Pina Says ‘Confidence is High’ and So Is His Batting Average—INFORUM (Eric Peterson), 6/29/21 - Goldeyes Outslugged by RedHawks— (Steve Schuster), 6/28/21 - June 28 th Game Highlights (Video Link)—Winnipeg Goldeyes (Jason Young), 6/28/21 - RedHawks Spoil Goldeyes Homecoming With 12-9 Win—Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (Chad Ekren), 6/28/21 - RedHawks Come From Behind to Beat Winnipeg; End 4-Game Skid (Video Link)—KVRR (Nick Couzin), 6/28/21 - One ‘Wild’ Night in June 1996 Christened the RedHawks Home Stadium—INFORUM (Eric Peterson), 6/21/21 - Fans React to The Ballpark at Jackson’s New Baseball Team (Video Link)—WBBJ Jackson (Nikita Dennis), 6/23/21

REDHAWKS THIRD BASEMAN PINA SAYS ‘CONFIDENCE IS HIGH’ AND SO IS HIS BATTING AVERAGE ERIC PETERSON – INFORUM – TUESDAY, JUNE 29 th FARGO — Leo Pina didn’t have his typical production last summer, batting below .300 for the first time with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks since he joined the American Association baseball club in 2018.

Pina batted .275 in a season that started late and was limited to 60 regular season games due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Covid hurt my preparation,” Pina said. “Last year, I didn't have the (same) offseason preparation.”

On the heels of a more typical offseason, Pina has been a hitting machine this summer. The third baseman is batting .404 through 38 games to lead the league. Pina had three hits in a 12-9 victory against the Winnipeg Goldeyes on Monday, June 28, at Newman Outdoor Field.

“I feel stronger this year and that gives me confidence,” Pina said. “Confidence is high, that is one of the secrets. I feel like that this year. … When I step to the plate, I can see the difference. I’m ready. This is me, my best right now.”

Pina is in his fourth season with the RedHawks, batting .319 in 2018 and .323 in 2019 before he .275 a season ago in 60 games. He bounced back this summer.

“He’s playing to the level of his ability,” said RedHawks manager Chris Coste. “There is something to be said for experience and confidence when you combine that with already high-level ability. He’s no longer the young kid, he’s now a veteran-type presence and he really embraces that.”

Pina has 11 doubles, one triple, seven home runs and 31 RBIs and is also a sure-handed defender. He’s committed only three errors this season. Pina said his defense has come more naturally, adding he's learned "a lot" about hitting during his time with Fargo-Moorhead.

Coste said former RedHawks Yhoxian Medina, who played for F-M from 2017-2019, had a hand in helping Pina develop. Both Pina and Medina are from Venezuela.

“When he first got to us, he was a little bit raw, he was still young and still trying to find his confidence,” Coste said of Pina. “Yhoxian kind of set the tone for Leo on how he had to do things every single day. … The example that Yhoxian set for Pina and the demand that Yhoxian put on Leo, you can’t even put a price tag on it. Then confidence started to kick in.”

Pina, who turned 27 on Tuesday, June 29, has anchored the RedHawks offense along with fellow veteran Correlle Prime. Prime, who plays first base, is batting .335 with 15 doubles, one triple, eight home runs and 28 RBIs in 38 games.

“He’s such a nice guy,” Pina said of Prime. “He’s always laughing. He’s kind of relaxed and I like that, too.”

Pina and Prime have become more important this season for a RedHawks team that currently has nine rookies on the roster.

“They’re incredibly important because they help us win games with how they play every day, but just as important behind the scenes,” Coste said. “At this level of independent baseball you need some lead-by-example guys. … You can’t calculate their value.”

The RedHawks have transferred the contract of six players to Major League organizations since early May. Pina has used that as motivation.

"It gives you that little energy to keep playing hard and good," said Pina, who spent seven seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.

Pina grew up in Maracay, Venezuela, about 90 minutes away from the capital city of Caracas. He started playing baseball at around 4 years old. He’s played since he was 17 years old.

Pina makes his offseason home in Bellefonte, Pa., which is near State College. He and his wife Kiara Gonzalez have two children, 3-year-old Leo and 1- year-old Mateo. His family is in Fargo this summer.

“It's nice," Pina said of being able to go home to his family after games.

Pina added that Coste and his coaching staff create an atmosphere for success.

“They treat you like you are home,” Pina said. “The most important thing is the coaches and how they treat you. That’s a key for the team. You feel like a family, you talk, you can express yourself. I think that’s the key. You enjoy yourself in the clubhouse and on the field, too.”

GOLDEYES OUTSLUGGED BY REDHAWKS STEVE SCHUSTER – WINNIPEG GOLDEYES – MONDAY, JUNE 28 th FARGO, ND – The Winnipeg Goldeyes (15-20) lost 12-9 to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at Newman Outdoor Field on Monday night.

With the Goldeyes leading 9-8 in the bottom of the fifth inning, the RedHawks (21-17) rallied for four runs to take a 12-9 lead. Alex Boxwell and Manuel Boscan opened the frame with back-to-back walks, and were driven home on a Kevin Krause to left-centre. Leobaldo Pina followed with an RBI single through the left side that made it 11-9, while John Silviano capped the rally with an RBI single to right.

The RedHawks’ bullpen followed with four shutout innings to close out the game. Michael Hope (4-1) picked up the win in relief with two and one-third scoreless innings, while Ryan Flores recorded the final six outs to earn his second save of the year.

The Goldeyes jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the second. Three straight one-out walks to Raul Navarro , Logan Hill , and Wes Darvill set up a run-scoring hit by pitch to Kevin Lachance . Sonny Ulliana made it 3-0 with a line drive single to right-centre. After Tyler Hill walked to reload the bases, Jay Gonzalez lined a double down the left field line that scored Lachance and Ulliana.

Fargo-Moorhead answered back with five runs in the bottom of the second. Sam Dexter flared a double down the right field line with one out and scored on a Goldeyes’ error. After the RedHawks loaded the bases, Pina singled to right to drive in Boxwell. Two batters later, George hit a two-out, two-run single up the middle. Silviano then lined a single to centre that plated Pina with the tying run.

In the top of the fourth, Tyler Hill and Gonzalez hit back-to-back doubles to put Winnipeg back in front at 6-5. Kyle Martin added a two-out, RBI single to left-centre that made it 7-5.

The RedHawks answered again in the bottom of the fourth. Krause led off and tied the game with an opposite field to right-centre. Pina walked and was tripled home by Prime to even the score. Fargo-Moorhead took its first lead when George singled to right to drive in Prime.

The Goldeyes took their third lead in the top of the fifth. Logan Hill drew a leadoff walk and took second when Darvill beat out a bunt base hit along the first base line. Lachance sacrificed the runners ahead, setting up a game-tying sacrifice fly to left from Ulliana. Tyler Hill was intentionally walked, and the Goldeyes went in front 9-8 on a single up the middle from Gonzalez.

Ken Frosch (3-3) took the loss in relief for the Goldeyes.

Christian James started as an opener for Winnipeg and took a no-decision, working a scoreless bottom of the first.

Gage Hinsz started for the RedHawks and also took a no-decision, allowing eight earned runs on seven hits over four-plus innings. Hinsz walked five and struck out six.

Gonzalez tied a career-high with four hits.

Game two of the four-game series is Wednesday night at 7:02 p.m. Joey Gonzalez (2-2, 6.14) faces right-hander Logan Nissen (1-3, 6.75). All the action can be heard locally on CJNU 93.7 FM and worldwide at www.cjnu.ca

The Goldeyes will continue to monitor the reopening of the Canada/US border and assess a potential return to in 2021.

In the coming weeks, Winnipeg Goldeyes staff will contact ticket holders with more information and appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding.

VIDEO: JUNE 28 th GAME HIGHLIGHTS JASON YOUNG – WINNIPEG GOLDEYES – MONDAY, JUNE 28 th LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arDii1FJIyI

REDHAWKS SPOIL GOLDEYES HOMECOMING WITH 12-9 WIN CHAD EKREN – FARGO-MOORHEAD REDHAWKS – MONDAY, JUNE 28 th FARGO, N.D. - The Winnipeg Goldeyes put up a fight in their first game back to Newman Outdoor Field after calling the stadium home in 2020, but the RedHawks came from behind to win a slugfest 12-9 in front of 2,317 fans in Monday night’s series opener. Kevin Krause led the way, going 2- for-4 with a double, home run, three RBIs, and three runs scored in the win.

Four different RedHawks batters (Krause, Leo Pina, Jordan George, and John Silviano) had at least two hits and two RBIs in the game. Correlle Prime was 3-for-5 and hit his first triple of the season on Monday. Manuel Boscan extended his hitting streak to a season high 11 games and reached base three times in the game. Pina went 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs, a walk, and three runs scored in the game.

RedHawks starter Gage Hinsz continued to rely on run support as he allowed eight runs on seven hits and five walks in four innings but escaped without a loss. It was the fourth time this season that Fargo-Moorhead scored 12 or more runs in a game that Hinsz started. LHP Mark Finkelnburg came on in relief and pitched 0.2 innings, giving up one run on two hits. RHP Michael Hope (4-1) got the win after pitching 2.1 scoreless innings and striking out two batters without allowing a hit. RHP Ryan Flores allowed two hits while striking out four in 2.0 innings pitched and got his second save of the season.

Winnipeg was led by Jay Gonzalez (4-for-5, two doubles, run, 3 RBI) and catcher Sonny Ulliana (1-for-2, walk, run, 3 RBI). Only one Winnipeg batter besides Gonzalez had more than one hit in the game. The Goldeyes scored five runs on only two hits in the second inning and drew six total walks in the game.

The Goldeyes used five different in the game, none of whom threw more than three innings. RHP Christian James started the game and was replaced by RHP Pete Perez after just one inning. Perez allowed eight runs (four unearned) on eight hits and two walks in three innings. Winnipeg then used LHP Ken Frosch and RHP Daniel Kubiak in the game. Frosch gave up four runs on four hits and two walks in 0.2 innings pitched and got the loss. LHP Jose Jose pitched the eighth inning without allowing a baserunner and striking out a batter.

Fargo-Moorhead and Winnipeg will continue their four-game series on Tuesday night. The RedHawks will start RHP Logan Nissen (1-3, 6.75 ERA) for the RedHawks and RHP Joey Gonzalez (2-2, 6.13 ERA) for the Goldeyes.

VIDEO: REDHAWKS COME FROM BEHIND TO BEAT WINNIPEG NICK COUZIN – KVRR – MONDAY, JUNE 28 th LINK: https://www.kvrr.com/2021/06/28/redhawks-come-from-behind-to-beat-winnipeg-end-4-game-skid/

ONE ‘WILD’ NIGHT IN JUNE 1996 CHRISTENED THE REDHAWKS HOME STADIUM ERIC PETERSON – INFORUM – TUESDAY, JUNE 21 st FARGO — An around-the-clock race to lay sod to open a yet-to-be-named, new stadium preceded a professional baseball game that featured 24 runs, a bench-clearing brawl and a standing-room-only crowd.

That was the setting more than two decades ago at what is now called Newman Outdoor Field.

It was 25 years ago, June 21, 1996, when the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks played their first game at what was then referred to as “The Nest.” They were members of the still-fledgling, eight-team Northern League.

“It was pretty wild,” said Josh Buchholz, the team’s clubhouse manager that summer who later became F-M's general manager. “The fans were totally into it, the stadium was really incomplete, but they did everything they could from a fans’ standpoint to give them a great show. … It was the start of something really wonderful that year and the last 25 years.”

Buchholz, in his early 20s in 1996, is now the deputy commissioner of the American Association, the league the RedHawks now call home in their 26th season. F-M starts a three-game series against the Chicago Dogs at 7:02 p.m. Monday, June 21, at Newman, the anniversary date of the first RedHawks game in the stadium.

The RedHawks were nearly 20 games into the 1996 regular season before they played their first game in their new home. It served as the team's second home opener of sorts as F-M played its first homestand that summer at Jack Williams Stadium before they settled into “The Nest.”

“By that time of the season, the support was already so intense from the fans, that we knew it was going to be crazy,” said RedHawks manager Chris Coste, the starting catcher on that 1996 team that made it to the Northern League championship series. “The expectations were a -type feel and it was.”

The playing surface was the big story in the lead up to that second RedHawks home opener during that 1996 season. Only days before opening the new stadium, the team had to change sod providers. The sod company the team initially hired was unable to deliver on time due to heavy rains.

“The Nest” opener was on a Friday night and the race to install the sod started Tuesday afternoon. That last strip of sod was laid at 12:12 a.m. Thursday morning, the RedHawks general manager John Dittrich told The Forum in 1996.

“The place wasn’t complete. It was pretty messy, but we got it done,” Dittrich said, remembering that first game at Newman. “I don’t recall a lot of complaints from fans. Everybody was glad to have the new ballpark, excited about it, and so were we.”

Sioux Falls outslugged the RedHawks for a 13-11 victory before 4,054 fans on that June evening in 1996. Coste batted seventh and started the game at catcher. That F-M team also featured players like shortstop Chad Akers, third baseman Johnny Knott, Brian Traxler and outfielder Darryl Motley. They all became well-known figures in the franchise’s early seasons. Manager Doug Simunic, pitching / Jeff Bittiger and team president Bruce Thom were also central figures.

“Johnny Knott went over and just lifted it right up,” Coste said of the grass around third base. “There were like these large staples that would hold sod into the ground. It was pretty surreal. In a normal situation, we would have not wanted to play on it, but we all wanted to play so badly on that field that it was fine.”

In the seventh inning, RedHawks outfielder Aaron Iatarola and Sioux Falls first baseman Paul Carey got tangled up as Carey tagged out Iatarola on a slow grounder, according to a Forum article. That led to both benches clearing. Both players were ejected and Simunic ended up with a cut on his face.

“I remember (Traxler) saying, being the jokester that he was, ‘That’s a deep cut there.’ It was just a scratch,” said Simunic, who managed the RedHawks for 22 seasons. “It was quite a season. I remember that being quite a season. … I just remember that, that whole year the crowd was pretty electric."

The RedHawks posted a 53-31 record in 1996, knocking off the Winnipeg Goldeyes in the first round of the playoffs before falling to the St. Paul Saints in the championship series.

“It was one of the most incredible and emotional seasons," said Coste, who won a World Series championship with the in 2008. “Other than the World Series, that ’96 season was the most emotional and amazing season that I personally ever had involving a team.”

Dittrich remembers selling tickets out of a small, portable trailer off the southeast corner of the stadium for that first game and first homestead at “The Nest.” The team dressed at nearby Dacotah Field as the clubhouse wasn’t ready when the stadium opened. The press box area was “wide open,” Buchholz said, and there was temporary fencing around the facing of the outdoor seating area for the suites.

“They were literally still working on things until the gates were opened,” Buchholz said.

“I don’t recall much about the game at all,” said Dittrich, who had a 42-year career in baseball that included 14 different cities. “We were probably putting out fires all over the place.”

Buccholz recalls Motley, a World Series champion with the Kansas City Royal in 1985, bolting into the fray during the bench-clearing brawl in the seventh.

“I remember Darryl Motley running from the dugout sort of jumping over the pile with a cocked fist,” Buchholz said. “I don’t know if he hit anybody or not.”

Even though the RedHawks lost the first game at their new stadium, Buchholz said that night helped set the tone in that first season.

“I think it probably exceeded anybody’s wildest expectations, that whole summer did,” Buchholz said. “It seemed like every week there was something new and crazy. Maybe we got spoiled that first year. It was a really wild summer. Everything sort of fell into place.”

A Fargo South graduate who also played baseball for Concordia College, Coste said for him it was a special feeling to play in that first game in “The Nest.”

“I wasn’t even supposed to make the team and now I’m playing every game and catching. I already felt like a Major Leaguer,” Coste said. “It was pretty clear that this was something that was going to last a long time.”

VIDEO: FANS REACT TO THE BALLPARK AT JACKSON’S NEW BASEBALL TEAM NIKITA DENNIS – WBBJ JACKSON – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23 rd LINK: https://www.wbbjtv.com/2021/06/23/fans-react-to-the-ballpark-at-jacksons-new-baseball-team/