SIOUX FALLS -- The Sioux Falls Pheasants offense was on fire early and ran away with a 13-7 win over the Lincoln Saltdogs Saturday night at Sioux Falls Stadium.

The Pheasants scored in each of the first four innings, led by a strong outing from Cesar Nicolas, who collected six RBIs on a home run and two doubles.

“I’ve been working really hard, trying to find some groove up there. I’m thankful for today; today was a great day,” said Nicolas.

After the Saltdogs scored two in the first inning, the Pheasants bounced right back with Nicolas’ three-run bomb over the left field fence, giving Sioux Falls an early 3-2 lead.

Listen to Ceasar Nicolas' home run

2012_0602_Nicolas_Home_run.MP3

The Pheasants scored three runs in the second inning. Corey Morales hit an RBI double, and Jared Bolden hit a sacrifice fly. Nicolas banged a double off the left field wall that brought in Morales to make it 6-2.

Listen to Cory Morales RBI double

2012_0602_Morales_RBI_double.MP3

Sioux Falls struck for their third three-run inning in the fourth. Cristian Guerrero smacked an RBI double, and Mark Shorey extended the lead to 10-3 with a two-run, line drive home run to right field.

Listen to Mark Shorey's home run

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Nicolas drove home two more in the seventh inning, setting the score at 12-5. He was one of five Pheasants with multi-hit nights.

Listen to Cesar Nicolas RBI double

2012_0602_Nicolas_RBI_double.MP3

“As a whole we just keep going out, having good at-bats and good things kept happening when we put good swings on the ball,” said Jonny Kaplan, who extended his hitting streak to 15 games.

Listen to Jonny Kaplan's RBI single

2012_0602_Kaplan_RBI_single.MP3

Rod Scurry (2-1) earned the win for the Pheasants tonight in relief of starter Alan DeRatt. Scurry pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing one unearned run on three hits. He struck out two and walked one.

An ailing DeRatt left in the fourth inning, still suffering from a flu virus that forced him to miss his last start.

The Pheasants chased Lincoln starter Tommy Palica (1-3) after two innings. He gave seven runs on seven hits, while striking out three and walking two.

“I’m just hoping we can keep this momentum. The win is the most important thing and it’s huge for us to be able to come back after the loss,” Nicolas said.

The Pheasants are now 7-8 on the season.

The finale of the four-game series is at 2:05 p.m. on Sunday, June 3 at Sioux Falls Stadium.  It’s a Super Splash Day. The game will be filled with fun water activities. Kids can run the bases after the game, and players will sign postgame autographs.

Kids FREE in June also continues tomorrow. Two children 12-and-under can get in free with the purchase of every regular adult-priced ticket, courtesy of Sanford Children’s.