Chicago Dogs open season with a dramatic victory in front of capacity crowd

The Chicago Dogs kicked off the 2026 season in dramatic fashion tonight, riding an eighth inning two run home run from Aaron Altherr, coming from behind twice on the night to defeat the Sioux City Explorers 4-3 in front of a sold-out crowd at Impact Field on Friday night.

A Dogs error and an RBI single from Alberto Osuna put the Explorers up 2- 0 after half an inning against Dogs starter Steven Lacey. Lacey settled down nicely, however, not allowing another run the rest of the way. On the evening, Lacey tossed five innings, giving up five hits and the two runs, with one walk and six strikeouts.

Chicago tied the game in the bottom of the third inning with two outs. Shortstop Ethan Wilder drove home Daniel Harris and Jaylyn Williams with a single to right field off Zach Willeman.

The game stayed tied until the eighth, when Henry George, a league postseason all- star a year ago for Sioux City, scored on another Osuna RBI single, putting the Explorers up 3- 2.