Lancaster 9, High Desert 8
July 22, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Lancaster JetHawks News Release
LANCASTER, Calif. - Drew Ferguson hit a walk-off two-run home run with two out in the bottom of the 11th, his second homer of the game, to lift the JetHawks to a 9-8 victory over the High Desert Mavericks in the series opener on Thursday night at The Hangar.
High Desert took the lead in the top of the 11th on an RBI double by Travis Demeritte, but the JetHawks turned a double play with the bases loaded to end the frame and avoid further damage. In the bottom of the inning, Trent Woodward drew a walk with one out before Ferguson delivered the game's biggest swing two batters later.
Ferguson's first long ball was a solo shot in the eighth inning. It was the second of back-to-back homers after Aaron Mizell led off the frame with a solo blast of his own. The JetHawks went deep four times in the game. Bryan Muniz led off the bottom of the second inning with a line drive homer to left, which tied the game, 1-1.
Scott Heineman opened the contest with a home run for High Desert. Michael De Leon capped a six-run sixth inning for the Mavericks with a three-run blast to give them a 7-2 lead.
After the back-to-back homers in the eighth inning, the JetHawks scored twice in the ninth to force extra innings. Following an error and a walk earlier in the frame, Aaron Mizell came up with two out and hit a pop fly into shallow right-center field that dropped in for a two-run double and allowed Lancaster to tie the game.
Ferguson went 3-for-4 with two walks and four RBI hitting out of the number nine spot in the batting order. Johnny Sewald, Antonio Nunez, Jamie Ritchie, and Aaron Mizell each had two hits for the JetHawks.
Kevin Comer (2-2) picked up the win in relief. Scott Weathersby tossed 3.2 shutout innings out of the Lancaster bullpen. Felix Carvallo (6-2) took the loss for High Desert.
The JetHawks (53-44) and Mavericks (57-40) continue their four-game series on Friday night at The Hangar. Dean Deetz (5-5) will start for Lancaster against David Ledbetter (3-7). First pitch is 6:35 p.m.
The JetHawks are celebrating their 20th anniversary season in Lancaster. Great ticket packages and group events are on sale now at jethawks.com or by calling (661) 726-5400.
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