FARGO, ND – In one of the most high-level games of the season, the Chicago Dogs came out with a 4-3 victory in 10 innings over the Farg0-Moorhead RedHawks.

There was no true star to the game for the Dogs, but rather an all-around group effort. Catcher Ryan Lidge finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Stevie Wilkerson notched two RBI and the game-winning run in his 1-for-5 night.

Props must be given to RedHawks starter Kevin McGovern. The veteran tossed six innings, allowed two runs and struck out nine to keep the Chicago offense stagnant through the middle of the game.

It was a unique beginning to the game. On two pitches, both Michael Crouse and Grant Kay reached base on bunt singles to nearly the same spot. Both hitters possess plus speed and used it to beat out McGovern to first base. Lidge loaded the bases with a hit-by-pitch and give K.C. Hobson an early RBI chance with no outs.

On a 3-2 count, Hobson lined a single into left field. Only, the ball landed so close to right fielder John Silviano that Crouse did not take off on contact, Silviano fired a throw home and beat the AAPB stolen base leader on a force out. The unlucky outcome kept the bases loaded, yet without a run.

Wilkerson avenged Crouse with a line drive to left field that scored Kay. McGovern woke up from that point and proceeded to strike out the next two hitters to get out of the jam with minimal damage.

Once the Dogs scored, the RedHawks called and raised. Fargo-Moorhead led off with two singles to put runners on the corners. Barringer got catcher Leo Pina to ground into a double play, but it allowed a run to score and tie the game at one. Barringer then drew a ground ball to Kay, but the second baseman fumbled with the scoop into his glove and allowed the runner aboard.

The RedHawks made Chicago pay for the error with two more consecutive singles that scored the unearned run.

Chicago tied the game in the third inning, started by a Lidge single and Hobson double. Wilkerson made good on another RBI chance with a hard ground ball sent to third base. Pina made an athletic play for the out, but Lidge scored easily.

A two-out rally for Fargo-Moorhead gave the RedHawks the lead once more. Left fielder Nick Novak singled and stole second base. Shortstop Sam Dexter then skied a ball to shallow center field. Crouse rushed in and dove for a face-first catch, but was inches away and the ball fell out of the glove. Novak ran home and made it safely.

The Dogs couldn’t garner any momentum against McGovern after the third inning. The American Association all-time strikeouts leader allowed only one baserunner and struck out four in his final three frames.

Chicago needed to attack against the Fargo-Moorhead to tie the game up. Lidge and Hobson began the eighth inning with a single and walk against reliever Joe Jones. Wilkerson struck out swinging to bring up Anfernee Grier. On a 1-0 count, the newly-returned Grier stung a single into left field to bring Lidge around to score and make the score 3-3.

In the top of the ninth, Chicago threatened to take a commanding lead with bases loaded, two outs and the ever-so-clutch Wilkerson at the dish. He skied a ball into right field, but Silviano was there to secure the catch.

The game headed to extra innings and, as per new league rules, Wilkerson began the frame on second base. Grier led off the inning with a walk, and Trent Bauer then attempted to lay down a bunt. Unsuccessful, he eventually got the job of advancing Wilkerson done with a fielder’s choice.

Now facing Connor Kopach, Fargo-Moorhead pitcher Brady Stover threw a ball in the dirt that got away from catcher Christian Correa for an instant. The kerfuffle was just long enough for Bauer to take off for second base. Correa fired it to second, but the ball slipped into shallow center field and, with that, Wilkerson was able to sprint home for the lead.

Johnathon Tripp came in for the save and ended the game on a double play for a 4-3 Dogs win. After falling just short the night before, Chicago returned the favor with their own one-run victory. The league’s best will return on Saturday at 6 p.m. Kyle Murphy will be on the bump for the Dogs, with lefty Tyler Grauer on for the RedHawks.