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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Aug. 20, 2019) – John Nester etched his name into the Cleburne record books by hitting for the first cycle in franchise history, as the Railroaders battled past the Sioux Falls Canaries 12-10 on Tuesday night at Sioux Falls Stadium. Cleburne finished the set with 42 total runs and 50 hits, both franchise records for a three-game series.

Nester got his historic night started with an RBI double in the first inning, helping the Railroaders (53-35) score four times to start the game. Ryan Brett capped the scoring in the frame with an opposite-field two-run homer.

After a fly out in the third, Nester added a single in the fifth and a triple in the seventh. He completed the cycle with an opposite-field solo blast in the top of the ninth. Nester’s four runs scored also matched a season-high for a Railroaders hitter.

The Canaries (34-53) quickly cut into Cleburne’s 4-0 lead with three runs in the bottom of the first, highlighted by a two-run double from Andrew Ely. The Railroaders then scored five unanswered to push the advantage to 9-3; Angel Reyes hammered a long solo shot in the third, then five two-out singles in the fifth sent four more runs across.

That lead did not last, however, as Sioux Falls jumped on Cleburne starter Stephen Johnson for six runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 10-9 lead. Graham Low ripped a two-run triple in the inning, and Ely put the Birds in front with a towering two-run homer that gave Sioux Falls their first lead of the series.

Nester’s triple started the top of the seventh, and one pitch later Brett drove him home with a sacrifice fly to center that tied the game 10-10. K.C. Huth put Cleburne in front in the top of the eighth with a slicing solo homer down the right field line, then Nester’s blast in the ninth provided insurance.

Sioux Falls tested Cleburne closer Tyler Wilson in the bottom of the ninth, putting their first two runners aboard. Wilson buckled down to retire the next three, getting Jordan Ebert on a grounder to second to nail down his 22nd save of the season.

Bryan Saucedo (2-1) earned the win by striking out the side in the seventh, while Will Solomon (4-6) took the loss for Sioux Falls.

The Railroaders continue their road trip with three games against the Sioux City Explorers. First pitch on Wednesday is scheduled for 7:12 PM, with Jesus Sanchez (9-3, 3.14) set to get the start for Cleburne.

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.