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CLEBURNE, Texas (June 14, 2019) – The Cleburne Railroaders left the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth and the tying run at third in the bottom of the tenth, as they fell 6-5 in 10 innings to the Sioux City Explorers on Friday night at The Depot.

The Railroaders (13-14) led 5-3 into the top of the eighth, but Sioux City (12-16) got a two-run home run from Jose Sermo to tie the game. Cleburne had a chance for the walk-off in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with one out. But a pop out and a ground ball back to the mound ended the threat.

Drew Stankiewicz put Sioux City in front in the tenth with a two-out RBI single, scoring Nate Samson who led off the inning with a walk. The Railroaders then got a one-out triple from Hunter Clanin to put the tying run 90 feet away, but Sioux City closer Matt Pobereyko struck out the next two hitters on six pitches to end the game and record his sixth save.

The game followed a similar script to Thursday night, as the lead bounced back and forth over the middle innings. The Explorers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a sacrifice fly from Michael Lang, but Cleburne seized a 2-1 advantage in the third when Jonathan Rodriguez doubled home K.C. Huth and Chase Simpson lifted a sacrifice fly.

Sioux City took a 3-2 lead in the fifth when Kyle Wren smacked an RBI double and Nate Samson plated another on an RBI groundout.

John Nester’s solo home run tied the game in the sixth, and the Railroaders scored two more in the seventh to take a 5-3 lead. Simpson lined a run-scoring single into right to score Rodriguez, and Nester added a run-scoring fielder’s choice.

Nate Gercken (1-0) picked up the win for Sioux City by escaping the bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the ninth, while Edward Cruz (0-2) took the loss by allowing the go-ahead run in the top of the tenth.

The Railroaders and Explorers continue their series on Saturday night at 7:06. Michael Gunn (2-0, 4.39) gets the ball for Cleburne, while Sioux City counters with right-hander Eric Karch (0-3, 4.13).

For information on partnerships, season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Railroaders main office at (817) 945-8705, or visit the Railroaders official website at www.railroaderbaseball.com.

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