The bats of the Winnipeg Goldeyes fell silent to open the postseason.
The Goldeyes were held to just five goals in a 5-0 loss to the Sioux Falls Canaries in Game 1 of the best-of-three West Division Semifinals on Wednesday in South Dakota.
The Canaries scored two runs in both the first and fifth innings to win their first-ever playoff meeting.
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Goldeyes ace Joey Matulovich struggled with his control in the series opener and led the league in strikeouts and earned run average giving up three runs on four hits with a pair of walks before being pulled after the fourth inning.
In pursuit of their first championship since 2017 after missing the playoffs last year, the Goldeyes had no extra base hits. The team loaded the bases twice, but was unable to get a run across the line.
Canaries starting pitcher Tanner Brown struck out nine Goldeyes batters to get the win.
The series now moves to Winnipeg for the final two games if necessary. The Goldeyes will be eliminated in Game 2 on Friday at Blue Cross Park.
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