Wichita, KS – The Sioux Falls Canaries (5-5) got out to an early five-run lead and held on for a 6-5 win over the Wichita Wingnuts (4-6) on Thursday night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The lead was built thanks in part to a three-run first inning homer by Paul Smyth.

The Canaries got out to a big lead with five runs in the first inning. Kennard Bibbs walked and advanced to third on a single by Grant Richardson. Josh Patton hit a sacrifice fly to score Bibbs and the Canaries took an early 1-0 lead. Richardson then stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error by Wichita catcher Felipe Del Rosario. Richardson scored on a sacrifice fly by Beau Torbert, and the Canaries took a 2-0 advantage. After Ben Van Iderstine and Patrick Reilly got aboard with back-to-back singles, Paul Smyth hit his fifth home run of the season. The three-run shot capped the Canaries five-run first and gave the Birds an early 5-0 lead.

The Wingnuts chipped away with a run in the first and two more in the third. Felipe Del Rosario hit his second home run of the season in the second inning to put Wichita on the scoreboard, 5-1. In the third Kevin Hooper walked and stole second before scoring on a double by Blake Gailen. Gailen later scored on a sacrifice fly by Dustin Mohr. After three innings, the Canaries led, 5-3.

The teams traded runs in the fourth inning. In the top of the inning Andrew Barbaro reached on a walk and scored on a single by Josh Patton. In the bottom of the fourth, Brenan Herrera singled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Del Rosario. After four innings, the Canaries led 6-4.

Wichita threatened to take the lead in the home half of the fifth inning. Kevin Hooper singled and advanced to third on a single by Stephen Pearson. Dustin Mohr followed with a double to score Hooper and make it a 6-5 game. With Pearson representing the tying run on third, and Mohr as the potential go-ahead run on second, the Canaries went to the bullpen. Kelly Casares came into the game and struck out both batters that he faced to wrap-up the inning with the Canaries still ahead, 6-5.

The bullpen held the Wingnuts scoreless the rest of the way, as the Canaries prevailed for the third time during the four-game series at Wichita.

Casares (2-1) got the win for the Canaries. Justin Young (3-4) lasted just one inning and gave up five runs on four hits to suffer the loss. Kris Regas finished the Wingnuts off in the ninth inning to pick-up his 19th save of the season.

The Canaries now head to Sioux City where they will take on the Explorers Friday night at 7:05 p.m.. The Canaries return to Sioux Falls on Sunday, July 13, for a 2:05 p.m. game against the Sioux City Explorers. Sunday will be “The Day of Death-Defying Acts” presented by Royal River Casino and JobDig, featuring Chainsaw Juggler Mad Chad Taylor.