Pete Parise took a no-hitter to the ninth inning, and ended up throwing a one-hit shutout as the Saltdogs (26-21) topped the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 2-0 in front of 3,725 fans at Haymarket Park Friday night.
Parise surrendered a no-out single to Buddy Sosnoskie in the top of the ninth. After Sosnoskie stole second, Parise had to buckle down with the possible tying run in scoring position and did just that to preserve the shutout, inducing a ground out from reigning American Association player of the year Nic Jackson.
The 28-year old righty (5-3) went the full nine innings, allowing just one hit while walking two and striking out four to earn the win. Parise took a perfect game to the sixth and needed just 70 pitches to get through eight hitless innings.
The Saltdogs scored the game’s first run in the bottom of the first on a Matt Forgatch RBI fielder’s choice.
Lincoln would add another in the seventh, as Daniel Carroll doubled with two outs, stole third and then came in to score on a throwing error by the catcher.
Jake Laber (4-4) pitched admirably in the loss, going seven-plus, allowing just one earned on seven hits while striking out four and walking three.
Parise came within three outs of booking the Saltdogs first no-hitter in more than four years (Jarrett Gardner).
The Saltdogs avoided the sweep and wrapped up their eight-game home stand with a record of 5-3.
Lincoln opens a four-game series at Sioux Falls Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Mike Burns (2-2, 3.48) will be on the hill against Mitchell Clegg (2-2, 6.46).