The Everett AquaSox ended the five game series with a win over the Hillsboro Hops, 7-3. Everett scored the go ahead run in the fifth on two walks and two sacrifices without getting a hit in the inning. Eric Filia, who had been a thorn in the side of the Hops the entire series, started off the inning with a walk and took second on Kristian Brito’s following walk. Dimas Ojeda moved Filia to third on a sacrifice bunt. Jombeyker Morales brought home the winning run on a sacrifice to center field.

Robert Duggar started for the AquaSox and went four innings before giving way to Jeffeson Medina (W, 1-0) who took the win on three scoreless innings allowing only three hits. Michael Koval (S, 2) finished the last two scoreless innings for the save. Duggar had given up all three Hops runs in the third.

The Hops third inning barrage came in response to Everett taking a 1-0 lead in the previous inning. Before the AquaSox knew what was happening, Jason Morozowski blasted a three run homer over the right-center field wall with Jose Queliz and Ben DeLuzio on base to give the Hops a 3-1 lead, their only lead of the night. It was the only inning the Hops would score.

Everett answered one inning later to tie up the game. Johmbeyker Morales was on third and Joe Venturino on second when Austin Grebeck came to the plate and punched a line drive into left field to score both runners. The go ahead run came two innings later.

The AquaSox scored three insurance runs but did not need them. David Greer scored from third on a Johmbeyker Morales single and Eric Filia, on base with a double, scored on a wild pitch by Kevin Ginkel, all in the seventh. The eighth inning brought Austin Grebeck home on a David Greer single.

Jason Morozowski had the only Hops extra base hit and all three RBIs with his three run blast in the third, going 3 for 3. Jose Queliz went 2 for 4 and scored once. Ramon Hernandez singled for the Hops’ only other hit.

Tyler Mark (L, 4-3), one of three All Star representatives for the Hops this year, started and lasted four innings. Mark allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits for the loss. Colin Poche came in for two more innings and allowed two more runs on two hits. Kevin Ginkel and Jake Winston (another All Star representative) finished the seventh and eighth allowing one more run.

AquaSox bats were loud and explosive. Johmbeyker Morales went 3 for 3, with two RBI and scored. Eric Filia and Austin Grebeck both went 2 for 3 with Filia scoring twice and Grebeck knocking home two runs. Dimas Ojeda homered in the second inning for the game’s first score with no one on base. Everett had eleven hits in the game.

The Hillsboro Hops (7-4) lead shrunk to one game over Eugene who beat Vancouver tonight. The Everett AquaSox (7-4) maintained their one game lead over Spokane who also won tonight.

The Hops take the series 3-2. Hillsboro will remain on the road and travel to Boise for a three game stand at Memorial Stadium. Hillsboro currently has a three game lead over Boise in the South Division.

Everett will hit the road and head north to Vancouver for a three game series. Everett currently has a three game lead over Vancouver.

Boxscore

By Greg Stoker

@GDStoker