Hillsboro Hops, Ozuna Beat Everett Aquasox in 12 Innings
The Hillsboro Hops outlasted the Everett Aquasox 4-3. It took 12 innings and a home run by the Hops Fernery Ozuna to finish the job.
The Aquasox controlled the game for the first six innings, building a 3-1 lead, but the Aquasox would score no more. For the Hops, Tyler Bolton pitched seven innings allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits, walking none and striking out three for a no decision. Cameron Gann came on in relief and pitched four innings to seize control allowing only two hits with no runs and five strike outs. Will Landsheft (1-1) pitched the final inning, striking out one batter for the win.
Aquasox Matt Clancy (1-1) pitched the final four innings allowing the winning run and two hits, striking out four for the loss.
The scoring started in the top of the first when Drew Jackson rapped a grounder to short. Sergio Alcantara threw wide to first base allowing Jackson to get on with a throwing error. Braden Bishop bunted Jackson over to second with a sacrifice. With Corey Simpson at the plate, Jackson stole third on a close play, sliding under the tag. Simpson then singled on an infield hit to short, scoring Jackson for the early lead.
The Hops answered back with a run of their own in the bottom of the second. Josh Anderson had an infield single of his own sending a grounder to short stop Drew Jackson. Alexis Olmeda smacked a line drive to center field that moved Anderson over to third. Gerard Hernandez grounded out to Jackson. Anderson scored on the throw to first.
Scoring in the bottom of the third, the Aquasox took temporary control. Braden Bishop singled to left and Logan Taylor laid down a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher to move Bishop over to second. Corey Simpson came to the plate and Bolton threw a wild pitch that made it to the backstop and Bishop scooted over to third and then took home in the confusion.
An insurance run came in the top of the fifth. Drew Jackson reached base on an infield single to short stop Sergio Alcantara. Braden Bishop grounded out to third baseman Nate Robinson moving Jackson over to second. Logan Taylor sent a line drive out to center field for a single and Jackson scooted home for the Aquasox’s final score of the night.
The Hops tied the game in the bottom of the seventh and it all happened with two outs on the scoreboard. Sergio Alcantara started it with a walk. Fernery Ozuna came to the plate and watched pitcher Spencer Herrman attempt to pick off Alcantara at first. The throw went wide and Alcantara took second. Ozuna then poked a single to left and Alcantara hustled home.
A pitching change brought Lance Thonvold in to relieve Spencer Herrman. Luis Veras came to the plate and a wild pitch by Thonvold moved Ozuna over to second. Veras then doubled to left field and Ozuna scored to tie the game.
The score would stay 3-3 for the next four innings until Fernery Ozuna came back to the plate in the bottom of the twelfth. Ozuna was the first batter up for the Hops and he smashed his home run over the left field fence to win the game.
For the Hops, Fernery Ozuna shined going 3 for 6 and scoring two runs with a double, a home run and two RBIs. Josh Anderson went 2 for 5 and scored a run. Sergio Alcantara scored a run. Luis Veras and Gerard Hernadez earned an RBI.
Drew Jackson went 2 for 4 and scored two runs for the Aquasox. Johan Quevedo and Erick Mejia went 2 for 5. Braden Bishop scored a run. Logan Taylor and Corey Simpson earned an RBI.
Both the Hillsboro Hops (19-13) and the Everett Aquasox (18-14) maintained their one game division leads in the South and North Divisions respectively with seven games left in the first half. The teams meet again Tuesday night for the fourth game in the five game series. The Hops lead 2-1.
By Greg Stoker
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