The Hillsboro Hops did their best to stay within striking distance throughout the game and it finally paid off. In the eighth inning, with the Hops behind 7-4, the Hillsboro bats had one last gasp in them to take the lead for good by scoring five runs, winning 9-7. Jake Winston came on to close the ninth and earned the save, striking out the first two batters and getting the third to fly out to left fielder Luis Veras to end the game. Not only did the Hops take the win, but they also climbed back to .500 ball.

The five run eighth inning started with a Marcus Wilson walk. Wilson jumped over to second on Anfernee Grier’s single to right and sped home to score on Alexis Olmeda line drive to left. Olmeda moved over to second on Luke Lowry’s fielder’s choice and took third on Luis Veras’ single to load the bases. Olmeda walked home when Everett pitcher Paul Covelle walked Mark Karaviotis.

Manny Jefferson stepped to the plate and singled home both Luke Lowry to tie the game and Luis Veras to take the lead. For the final score, Mark Karaviotis stole home. After the dust settled on a dry summer evening, Hillsboro was standing on top with a two run lead that would hold for the rest of the game.

Everett scored the first run of the game in the first inning off of starter Jeferson Mejia and then settled down for the next four innings. In the fifth, after both starting pitchers stepped down and the score 1-0, bats on both sides of the field came alive. The Aquasox scored three runs.  Eric Filia smashed a two run blast with Kyle Lewis on board and Kristian Brito came home on Johann Quevedo’s double,

The Hops answered back with three of their own. Luke Lowry walked and moved to second on Luis Veras’ single and scored off of Manny Jefferson’s single. Veras scored on Connor Owings sacrifice fly and Jefferson scored on Marcus Wilson’s single.

Jeferson Mejia pitched the first four innings for the Hops allowing four runs on eight hits for no decision. Palmer Betts couldn’t slow down the Aquasox allowing three more runs on four hits in three innings. It was when Kevin Ginkel came on in the eighth that the bleeding stopped and Everett would score no more for the rest of the night. Ginkel (1-0) allowed only one hit for the win, setting up the ninth inning save for Jake Winston (S, 2).

Hillsboro woke up for ten hits in the game but not until after Aquasox starter Brandon Miller stepped down after four innings with a four run lead and allowing no hits or runs. After that, the Hops made up for lost time. Manny Jefferson went 3 for 4 with a double, a score and four RBI. Luis Veras went 2 for 4 and scored twice. Anfernee Grier went 2 for 4. Marcus Wilson, Alexis Olmeda and Luke Lowry also singled.

Paul Covette came on to relieve in the eighth for Everett and was stuck with the loss, allowing three runs on three hits in only two thirds of an inning.

Aquasox bats pounded the horsehide in every direction. Donnie Walton and Kyle Lewis both went 3 for 5. Nick Zammarelli and Johann Quevedo both dealt out two hits. Eric Filia smacked a two run homer in the fifth. Only two Aquasox batters failed to get a hit.

The Hillsboro Hops (14-14) stay five games behind Eugene and in second place. The Everett Aquasox (14-14) remain one game behind Tri-City and tied with Vancouver for second. Both teams meet Saturday evening for the fourth game in the series with the Hops leading 2-1.

Photography by Portland Oregon Photographer Craig MItchelldyer
www.craigmitchelldyer.com
503.513.0550

Boxscore

by Greg Stoker
@GDStoker