Tri-City Dust Devils Even Series With Hillsboro Hops, 4-2
The Hillsboro Hops struck in the first inning but could not hold on to the lead, losing the second game of the Championship series to the Tri-City Dust Devils, 4-2. The Hops scored both of their runs at the beginning and would not score again the rest of the game. The Dust Devils pieced together their four runs never scoring more than one in an inning, inching their way to the victory with steady determination.
Zach Nehrir started the scoring when he led off the first with a walk. With Dansby Swanson at the plate, Nehrir then stole second and scored on Grant Heyman’s RBI double. Heyman stole third with Trevor Mitsui at the plate. Mitsui then walked to put runners at the corners. Heyman scored on Alexis Olmeda’s single to center field.
The Dust Devils answered back with the first score in the bottom of the inning. Justin Pacchiolo started off with a walk and then moved to second on Ty France’s groundout back to the pitcher. A wild pitch by starter Cody Reed allowed Pacchioloi to take third. Justin came home on Henry Charles line drive double to center field.
It wouldn’t be until the fifth inning when the Dust Devils tied the game on a Nick Vilter homer to left.
The lead came two innings later. Nick Vilter reached first on a fielder’s choice and moved to second on a Rod Boykin line drive to right. Vilter hustled home on a Justin Pacchioli single to center.
An insurance run was added an inning later when Ty France worked his way around the bases with a single to center, to second on a Henry Charles single and sped home on a Nick Vilter single to center.
Dust Devil pitching limited the Hops to two runs on five hits. Starter Emmanual Ramirez lasted the first inning with the score 2-1 Hops. The Team of Brett Kennedy, Elvin Liriano, William Santos and Phil Maton combined to blank the Hops the rest of the way scattering three more hits over eight innings. Santos (2-0) earned the win and Maton (S-1) got the save.
Starter Cody Reed pitched five innings, being relieved with the score tied at 2-2. Breckin Williams (1-1) pitched the next two innings allowing one run and earning the loss. Kevin Simmons made an appearance and Brody Greer pitched a scoreless ninth.
The Hops managed five hits in the game. Zach Nehrir went 2 for 4, scored a run and had a triple. Grant Heyman scored the other run and drove in Nehrir with his double. Alexis Olmeda and Stephen Dezzi both went 1 for 3. Dezzi’s hit was another double.
The Dust Devils racked up eight hits over eight innings. Nick Vilter went 2 for 4, scored twice, homered and had two RBI. Henry Charles also went 2 for 4 with an RBI double. Justin Pacchioli went 1 for 3, scored a run and had one RBI. Rod Boykin went 1 for 3.
The Tri-City Dust Devils evened up the three game series with the Hillsboro Hops. Both teams will face each other Sunday for the final do-or-die, winner-takes-all final game for the NW League Championship in Pasco Washington.
By Greg Stoker
@GDStoker
