The Hillsboro Hops refused to give up, persevering over the Everett Aquasox 8-7.  It was fitting that after a seven hour bus ride that should have been only three hours, the Fourth of July game would last almost four hours. In the top of the tenth, Stephen Dezzi reached second from an error by left fielder Corey Simpson.  Dane McFarland followed with a double to left center easily scoring Dezzi. It proved to be the winning run.

The scoring started in the top of the first and both teams traded leads throughout the game. Stephen Dezzi reached first on an error when his sharp grounder bounced off the glove of third baseman Logan Taylor. Trevor Mitsui made the score 2-0 with a dead shot home run to center field.

The Aquasox answered in the bottom of the second. Corey Simpson singled up the middle just out of reach of second baseman Jeff Smith. Alex Jackson singled to right moving Simpson to second. Luis Liberato hit into a fielder’s choice that eliminated the lead runner and moved Jackson to second. A. Jackson moved to third on Drew Jackson fielder’s choice. The run scored when Ryan Uhl came to the plate.  D. Jackson attempted to steal second and catcher Alexis Olmeda threw into center field. A. Jackson came home to make the score 2-1, Hops.

The Hops increased their lead in the top of the fourth  The inning started off with a pitching change bringing Taylor Byrd to the mound. Nate Robertson walked to lead off. Jeff Smith doubled on a line drive to right field moving Robertson to third. Sergio Alcantara reached first on a fielder’s choice when third baseman Logan Taylor threw to the plate to cut off the lead runner. Jeff Smith moved to third. Stephen Dezzi brought Smith home by a single to right. The score was 3-1.

A few minutes later, the Aquasox took the lead when they scored three runs in the bottom of the inning.  Corey Simpson started it off by being hit by a pitch from starting pitcher Tyler Bolton. Alex Jackson doubled to right field moving Simpson to third. Liberato reached base on a fielding error by second baseman Jeff Smith. Simpson scored on the play and A. Jackson moved to third. Drew Jackson hit a sacrifice fly to score Simpson. Logan Taylor singled and Liberato moved to second. Jordan Cowen ended the scoring when he punched a grounder into left field for a single, scoring Liberato. The Aquasox took the lead 4-3.

It took the Hops until the top of the sixth to answer back.  Sergio Alcantara singled to right field.  Zach Nehrir was hit by a pitch to move Alcantara to second. Stephen Dezzi walked to load the bases. Dane McFarland walked forcing Alcantara home to tie the game, 4-4.

It wasn’t long before the Aquasox took the lead back in the bottom of the seventh. Braden Bishop singled up the middle.  Corey Simpson grounded out and moved Bishop to second.  Alex Jackson doubled to center field scoring Bishop. Yordi Calderon came to bat for Luis Liberato and singled to center field scoring A. Jackson.

There was a pitching change for the Hops with Brody Greer relieving Kevin Simmons.  Drew Jackson came to the plate and double to center field scoring Calderon. The Aquasox reclaimed the lead 7-4.

But the Hops came storming back in the top of the ninth. Stephen Dezzi led off with a home run to right field.  Dane McFarland walked.  Trevor Mitsui singled to right and McFarland moved to second.  Gerard Hernandez came in to pinch run for Mitsui at first.  Luis Veras, who pinch hit for Alexis Olmeda, singled to left field and the bases were loaded.

The Aquasox brought in Lance Thonvold to relieve Kyle Wilcox. The Hops sent Fernery Ozuna to pinch hit for Nate Robertson. Ozuna doubled to right scoring Dane McFarland and Gerard Hernandez to tie the game.

Ryan Burr (1-0) pitched the ninth inning for the Hops to earn the win striking out two of the three batters he faced.  Will Landsheft (S-1) pitched the tenth earning the save.

Lance Thonvold (0-1) pitched the last one and two thirds innings to gain the loss.

For the Hops, Stephen Dezzi went 2 for 4, scoring three times.  He had two RBI and a home run.  Trevor Mitsui went 2 for 5, scored once with his home run and had two RBI.

For the Aquasox, Alex Jackson went 3 for 5, scoring three times with one RBI and two doubles.  Drew Jackson went 2 for 4 with two RBI and a double.  Logan Taylor went 2 for 5.

The Hillsboro Hops (9-8) moved into a tie for first with the Eugene Emeralds in the South Division.  The Everett Aquasox (11-6) had their three game lead cut to two over the Spokane Indians for the North Division.  Both teams play the second game of their five game series Sunday evening.

Boxscore Provided by MiLB.com

By Greg Stoker