Luke Lowery smashed his way with five hits to help the Hillsboro Hops outlast the Everett AquaSox 9-7 on a high scoring night around the league. Lowery not only went 5 for 5 at the plate but he also homered in the fifth inning and blasted three doubles for five RBIs. As much as Lowery accomplished in the game, his teammates helped just as much and the Hops needed almost every run.

All of the scoring took place in the middle innings for both teams. Hillsboro struck for two runs in the third to start and the AquaSox struck twice in the sixth to end the scoring for the night. In between were a total of three home runs, five doubles, 16 runs and 21 hits. That is just for the 3rd through 6 innings. Seven of the Hops 14 hits were for extra bases.

Luke Lowery shined the brightest of the night. Along with his power display, he doubled Josh Anderson home with what would prove to be the winning run. Lowery even added an insurance run just in case when Justin Chigbogu made it consecutive doubles.

Junior Garcia started on the mound for the Hops but was chased in the fourth with a man on first and second and two outs. The AquaSox had already scored four runs in the inning to take a 4-3 lead, their only lead of the game.

In stepped Jeferson Mejia who struck out Kristian Brito to end the inning and stranded the two runners. Mejia (W, 4-2) did allow one run in the fifth giving up two doubles but held on for the win. Curtis Taylor (S, 1) pitched the ninth for the save allowing one hit. Riley Smith, who normally closes, made an early appearance in the sixth and allowed two runs on four hits. Tommy Eveld spread one hit over the seventh and eighth for two scoreless innings.

Ljay Newsome (L, 4-2) started for Everett and gave up six runs (four earned) on eight hits for the loss. Dillon Moyer, son of former Seattle Mariner Jamie Moyer, finished the fifth for Newsome and pitched the sixth for three runs (two earned) on five hits. After that, Paul Covelle and Marvin Gorgas settled the Hops down on only one more hit for the night and blanks on the scoreboard.

In addition to the powerhouse Luke Lowery, Mark Karaviotis, Justin Chigbogu and Ramon Hernandez had multi-hit games. Stephen Smith homered in the fourth with no one on base. Karaviotis and Chigbogu contributed doubles.

The AquaSox bats peppered hits throughout the lineup with David Greer and Johmbeyker Morales being especially potent with three hits a piece. Greer returned to the line up last night and went 2 for 2. Tonight, he added 3 for 3 and is still batting 1.000 after recovering from his concussion. Morales went 3 for 5, doubled and scored twice. Dimas Ojeda homered in the fourth with Morales on board.

With the early win on Sunday, the Hillsboro Hops (7-3) maintained their two game lead over Eugene. Salem-Keizer is currently leading their ball game and would tie Eugene with a win. The Everett Aquasox fell to a temporary half game lead over Spokane waiting for their decision on a late game. As of the seventh, Spokane is losing to Salem-Keizer 17-10 and would fall back to a full game behind the North Division leading AquaSox with the loss.

Both teams return to Everett Memorial Stadium for the fifth and final game of the five game series. The Hops lead the series 3-1.

Boxscore

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

by Greg Stoker
@GDStoker