Beni Battles Hops to Series Opening Win
August 21, 2016 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Hillsboro Hops News Release
HILLSBORO, OR - In the opener of a long homestand - eight games in nine days with an off day sandwiched in the middle - the Hops got off to a good start. They defeated the visiting Spokane Indians 5-2 in the first game of a five-game set at Ron Tonkin Field.
Spokane, a Texas Rangers affiliate, clinched a playoff berth already by winning the first half of the Northwest League North Division. Should the Hops continue their current pace and clinch the second playoff spot of the South Division, the two teams could potentially meet in a NWL Championship Series.
Hillsboro got off to a great start by plating three runs in the second inning. Alexis Olmeda singled with one out - his first of three knocks on the night - and then advanced to second on a balk. With two outs in the inning, Connor Owings lined a single to center to score Olmeda. On the throw to the plate, Owings would advance to second. It became a crucial detail as Ben DeLuzio followed with a single to center of his own to bring Owings in. Jason Morozowski followed with his own RBI single to score the final run of the frame.
Hops start Anfernee Benitez was shaky early, but he managed to tiptoe through some innings and avoid catastrophic damage. The only two Spokane scratched out came in the top of the third when Luis Terrero snuck a double down the left-field line with two outs to score Leody Taveras and Charles LeBlanc.
The home team got one back in the bottom of the third. Luke Lowery singled with one out and moved to second on a wild pitch. Olmeda then lifted a looper to left that Preston Scott misplayed in the outfield. He came in too far on the bloop and the ball bounced over his head to roll to the wall. The misplay allowed Lowery to score easily.
The fifth and final run came on a Justin Chigbogu solo homer in the bottom of the fifth.
From there, the bullpen cruised with the 5-2 lead and made it stand as the final. Connor Grey posted 1.2 more scoreless innings and continues to impress in a Hops uniform. Colin Poche followed with a scoreless third.
Jake Winston got the eighth inning and rebounded from a tough previous outing in Salem-Keizer to post a scoreless inning. Kevin Ginkel got the first save opportunity of his young career and got the job done.
Hops outfielder Jason Morozowski entered the game with a homer in each of his last four games and it came to a close Saturday night. He still managed to fit in an RBI single.
It's a day game on Sunday. First pitch will be at 1:05 PM with 12:35 PM pregame radio on Rip City Radio 620 AM. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
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Northwest League Stories from August 21, 2016
- Late Flurry Lifts Hops to Third Straight W - Hillsboro Hops
- Volcanoes Get Stellar Pitching, Down Dust Devils - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- Mistakes Doom Dust Devils - Tri-City Dust Devils
- Beni Battles Hops to Series Opening Win - Hillsboro Hops
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