The Lincoln Saltdogs dropped their third straight game in Sioux Falls, losing 5-1 to the Pheasants.  Lincoln is now 0-3 on the season.

The Saltdogs hitters continued to struggle against Sioux Falls pitching.  Pheasants starter Ryan Shaver (1-0) gave up just two hits over his five innings of work.  Lincoln put the leadoff man on in four of the first five frames, but Shaver induced double-play grounders in each of those innings.

Saltdogs starter Tim Brown (0-1) cruised through the first two innings, striking out the side in the second, but he ran into trouble in the third.  Joe Anthonsen’s two-out RBI single started the scoring, and he came home on an RBI double by Reggie Abercrombie.  Beau Torbert followed with a two-run home run, capping a four-run frame.  Sioux Falls scored their last run on an RBI double by Gus Milner in the eighth.

Lincoln managed just three hits through the first eight innings, but finally showed some life in the ninth.  They put two on with one out for Juan Richardson, who hit an RBI single to put the ‘Dogs on the board.  A wild pitch moved runners to second and third, but Aaron Cotter struck out the final two batters to end the game.

Albenis Machado had the only multi-hit night for Lincoln, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.  On the mound, Chris Cullen tossed two scoreless innings in his Saltdogs debut.

The two teams play the finale of their four-game series Sunday afternoon at 2:05.  Right-hander Billy Weitzman will take the mound for the Saltdogs.

The home opener for Season Ten of Saltdogs Baseball takes place May 25 against Wichita.  For more team and ticket information, go to www.saltdogs.com.