The Hillsboro Hops pounded the bats early with two home runs giving the road team all they would need to win their first game of the season.  Host Everett Aquasox made a stab towards the end but were held off by the pitching of Wesley Rodriguez in the ninth.

Tra’Mayne Holmes, back for a second season with the Hops, launched the Hop’s first home run of the season in the top of the third.  He also brought home left fielder Ryan Dobson who had led off the inning with a single.  Holmes sparkled in center field last year and is starting this year off with some power.

Third baseman Joey Rose followed later in the same inning with his first homer of the season, launching a power blast of a missile to left center.  The ball easily cleared a forty foot fence to escape the park.

Rose also doubled in the fifth, scoring on Francis Martinez’ double.  Catcher Andy Yerzy scored with him after he hit a single sandwiched in between the two doubles.  That gave starting pitcher Kenny Anderson a 5-0 lead at the halfway point of the game.

Going a strong five scoreless innings for the Hops, Kenny Anderson (1-0) was given the win of the season opener.  Kenny struck out six batters without giving up a walk.  He also limited the Aquasox to three hits to start the game.  Wesley Rodriguez (S-1) pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.

The Everett Aquasox got on the board in the sixth and seventh innings with two solo homers by Jansiel Rivera and Ryan Garcia.  It wasn’t enough to threaten as the potential tying run never reached the batter’s box.  Starting pitcher Max Roberts (0-1) was saddled with the loss, going four innings and allowing the three runs in the third.

The Hops had nine hits on the night, led by Andy Yerzy with a double and two singles for three hits.  Joey Rose smacked a double and a home run for two hits on the night.  Tra’Mayne Homes and Francis Martinez led the way with two RBIs.  Joey Rose also scored two runs.

The Hillsboro Hops (1-0) start out the season in a four-way tie for first place as all four teams of the Southern Division won their season opener.  The Everett Aquasox (0-1) also start out in a four-way tie for first place as all four Northern Division teams lost their home opener.

The Hops and Aquasox continue the five game stand with game number two Saturday night.  Starting pitcher for Everett will be Carlos Hernandez.  This is not the same Carlos Hernandez who pitched for the Hillsboro Hops in 2015.  Starting pitcher for the Hillsboro Hops is yet to be determined.

Hops notes: Jorge Perez has been assigned to the Hops on Friday, June 15^th, from the Kane County Cougars.  Jorge is a left fielder in his third season out of the Dominican Republic.  He played for the Hops in 2017.  In 26 games, Jorge went 18 for 93 and a .194 average with four doubles.

By

Greg Stoker

@GDStoker

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