GARY, IN. 9-8-2010 The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks broke open a close game in the sixth after a three-run homer by Casey Hoorelbeke, but the Gary SouthShore RailCats tallied two runs in the eighth and got the tying run to first in the ninth before falling 5-3 on Wednesday night. The RailCats look to even the series tomorrow at 2 p.m. in Game Two and every inning can be heard live on 89.1 FM The Lakeshore.

The RailCats Brad Halsey and RedHawks Scott Fogelson were locked in a pitcher’s duel until the Hoorelbeke three-run homer gave the RedHawks a 5-1 edge following an RBI single from first baseman Jeremiah Piepkorn made it a 2-1 contest. Halsey (0-1) took the loss after allowing five runs on six hits while striking out three and walking one in six innings of work.

The RailCats got on the board first in the second with Jay Pecci scoring when Mike Valadez beat out a double play following back-to-back singles from Pecci and Mike Rohde with one out to take a brief 1-0 lead. The advantage was short-lived as the RedHawks came back to tie things up in the home half of the second as Hoorelbeke scored when Carlo Cota grounded into a double play with runners on first and third.

The bullpen kept the ‘Cats in the game with scoreless frames from Jeff Williams and Aaron Cook to give the offense a chance to get back in the game. The RailCats used RBI singles from Cristian Guerrero and Pecci in the top of the eighth to cut the RedHawks advantage to 5-3, but the ‘Cats failed to get any closer.

Gary will send rookie Nolan Nicholson (5-6, 4.87 ERA) to the mound in Game Two tomorrow as the ‘Cats look to even the series at one game apiece. Fargo will counter with Jake Laber (11-4, 3.90 ERA) before the series shifts back to U. S. Steel Yard on Friday for Game Three.

The RailCats are pursuing a birth in a sixth consecutive Northern League Championship series and seeking to capture the franchise’s third Northern League Championship.  The ‘Cats return home to U. S. Steel Yard on Friday, September 10 for game three of this best of five series against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. For tickets call the RailCats at 219.822.2255 or visit www.railcatsbaseball.com.