09/16/2006 9:02 PM - FARGO, N.D. – Fargo-Moorhead wasted no time on Saturday afternoon. The game lasted just an hour and 46 minutes, but not a minute too long or too short for the RedHawks as they captured their third Northern League Championship with a 1-0 victory over the Gary SouthShore RailCats.

Behind the arm of starter Mark Michael and the bat of Richard Austin the RedHawks got the revenge that it had been waiting for since last season

Michael allowed the first batter of the game, Tanner Townsend, to double off the left field wall to lead off the game but he silenced the bats for the rest of the game as he threw a complete-game shutout. For his efforts Michael was named the post-season Most Valuable Player.

Offensively the RedHawks’ first hit of the game was a solo home run by Austin. It was the only hit of three that mattered for Fargo-Moorhead although Joe Mathis and Scott Goodman reached on a single and double, respectively.

The win not only gave the ‘Hawks the championship but also ended a 10-game winning streak for Gary when playing in a possible season-ending situation dating back to the 2005 post-season.

In the N.L.C.S. the RedHawks hit just .175 in the series, but it was timely hitting that brought the championship trophy back to Fargo-Moorhead.

Fargo-Moorhead ends the 2006 season with an overall record of 69-36 including the post-season.

Win: Mark Michael (1-0). Loss: Josh Habel (1-2). Save: None.
Time: 1:46 // Attendance: 1,859