By Merchants beat writer, Billy Bumbomber

Fargo, ND – The Jamestown Miller Lite Merchants scored three runs in the top of the eighth to beat the FM Gators 10-7 at Merchant Field on Wednesday night.

The Merchants jumped out to a 7-3 lead after five innings, highlighted by a Dan Ross solo homer in the third.

Ross also tossed 4.1 innings of one-hit ball on the mound; he cruised through his first four innings until he ran into trouble in the seventh.

The Gators strung together a couple walks along with a few Merchant errors to put up a four spot in the seventh to tie the game.

The Merchants answered back with three in the top of the eighth to take a 10-7 lead, the M’s were able to hold the Gators scoreless for the last two innings to improve to (16-7) on the year.

Andrew Hill threw two innings of relief to pick up his first career Merchant win.  At the plate Jeff Nold led the Merchants with a three-hit day while Bryan Erstad added two hits and the go ahead RBI in the 8^th inning.

The Merchants next game will be on August 7^th against the Moorhead Brewers at Jack Williams Stadium in Fargo. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM.