Sioux City — It took four games, but the Lake Country DockHounds knocked out their first win of the season by demolishing the Sioux City Explorers 14-6. Every DockHound in the starting lineup reached base at least once, and all but one got a hit in a much needed offensive performance.
Lake Country scored just five runs in its first three games. The DockHounds scored six runs in the first two frames. It was also the first time Lake Country led a ballgame this season. They jumped all over Sioux City starter Jesus Valles, chasing him with those six runs in the first two innings.
It started with the top of the lineup, which did a ton of damage Wednesday, as Nick Banks, Pat Demarco, and Demetrius Sims all reached before Banks scored on a balk by Valles. Jaxx Groshans then singled home Demarco and Sims. In the second, Demarco crushed his first home run of the season off the scoreboard in left center field to open the scoring up. Sims and Simmons followed with singles that produced a run after Sims stole second base for his first of the night. He’d add another to bring his season total to six.
Thomas Jones, who left last night’s game early, also left the yard with a two-run home run to center in the third inning. His first of the season bounced off the top of the wall before going over.
In the fourth inning, Marcus Chiu doubled home a run and later scored on Patrick Adams’ single. The 10-0 lead was plenty for Nick Herold, who picked up the win, his second professionally after one last year for the DockHounds.
His start began on a splendid note, retiring the first eight batters through three scoreless innings. The Explorers slowly chipped away with two in the fourth and one in the fifth before the first three batters reached against Herold in the sixth inning to chase him from the game.
Keisy Portorreal and Austin Faith combined to throw four shutout innings to fend off an Explorers comeback and seal the win. The two struck out five while allowing no hits and walking one.
The top of the order excelled for the DockHounds Wednesday. The trio of Banks, Demarco, and Sims scored 10 times, got eight hits, drew three walks, and wore two hit-by-pitches. They were retired just five times in 18 plate appearances. Nick Banks particularly shined, reaching base all six times with three hits and two walks.
Marcus Chiu was ejected after arguing a called third strike in the seventh inning that he thought was high for ball four.
Lake Country will look to win the series against Sioux City Thursday night before traveling to Winnipeg to take on the Goldeyes. First pitch on Thursday will be at 7:00 CT and can be watched on aabaseball.tv.
