Ninth-inning homer ends Goldeyes' season

Winnipeg Goldeyes second baseman Adam Hall (London, Ont.) had two hits and was strong defensively in the Goldeyes’ season-ending loss to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks on Friday. Photo: Colby Spence, Winnipeg Goldeyes

September 12, 2026

By Jason Young

Winnipeg Goldeyes

WINNIPEG, MAN. – Right fielder Matt Kroon hit a three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to lift the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks to a 6-5 victory over the Winnipeg Goldeyes Friday evening at Blue Cross Park in Game 2 of the West Division Series.

Fargo-Moorhead won the best-of-three series 2-0 and advances to the West Division Championship Series, where the RedHawks will face the winner of Saturday’s game between the Sioux Falls Canaries and Kansas City Monarchs.

The visitors opened the scoring in the top of the second inning. Second baseman Tucupita Marcano singled to centre field and stole second before scoring when a fly ball off the bat of third baseman Brian Fuentes was misplayed in left field.

Kroon doubled to begin the fourth, advanced to third on Marcano’s sacrifice bunt, and scored on Fuentes’ base hit to centre to give the RedHawks a 2-0 lead.

Winnipeg answered with three runs in the bottom half. Third baseman Ramón Bramasco and shortstop Ray-Patrick Didder opened the inning with singles before Didder stole second. Centre fielder Noah Marcelo grounded out to bring Bramasco home, and first baseman Roby Enríquez followed with a two-run home run to right field that put the Goldeyes ahead 3-2.

The RedHawks tied the game in the fifth. First baseman José Sermo singled, designated hitter Tripp Clark doubled, and centre fielder Dillon Thomas walked before Kroon’s fielder’s choice brought Sermo home to make it 3-3.

The Goldeyes regained the lead in the seventh. Enríquez walked before designated hitter Max Murphy and left fielder Peyton Holt also drew free passes. Catcher Kevin García followed with a fielder’s choice that allowed Enríquez to score for a 4-3 Winnipeg advantage.

Didder gave the Goldeyes an insurance run in the eighth when he hit a solo home run to left field, increasing the lead to 5-3.

Fargo-Moorhead rallied in the ninth. Sermo struck out before Clark was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Thomas walked, and Kroon followed with a three-run home run that gave the RedHawks a 6-5 lead.

Fargo-Moorhead pitcher Mason Pelio earned the victory, while pitcher Tyler Jeans worked the ninth to record the save.

Left-handed starter Kevin Vaupel allowed three runs, two earned, on seven hits over five innings for Winnipeg. He walked two and struck out two. Sage Ferguson followed with three scoreless innings, allowing one hit while walking three and striking out three. Closer Derrick Cherry surrendered three runs on two hits in the ninth, walking one and striking out one.

Didder went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored, one run batted in, and a stolen base. Enríquez homered, drove in two runs, scored twice, and walked, while Bramasco and second baseman Adam Hall (London, Ont.) each recorded two hits.