Hicks Deals, JetHawks Offense Explodes In Win
Published on July 3, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
Lancaster JetHawks News Release
(LANCASTER, CA) - The Lancaster JetHawks made sure that their recent trend of falling behind early in games came to an end Thursday night at the Hangar. Chris Hicks kept the Lake Elsinore Storm scoreless through two innings, the JetHawks exploded for seven runs in the second inning, and Lancaster never looked back in a 10-3 victory.
Hicks, the JetHawks' winningest pitcher, was outstanding again last night. He established his hold on the game right out of the gates in the first inning, hanging a zero on the scoreboard. The JetHawks had allowed opponents to score in the first inning seven of the previous nine games.
The JetHawks offense seemed to appreciate the solid beginning from Hicks, and exploded for seven runs in the second inning. With one out, Matt Weston drew a walk and then Gabriel Suarez singled on a hot shot to third base. Jon Fixler brought them both home with a triple to the gap in right center field. Craig Corrado then singled in Fixler. After J.B. Shuck grounded out to short, Marcos Cabral turned the number crooked with a shot over the wall in left field. Storm starter Nick Schmidt then walked Jon Gaston and T.J. Steele, and Brandon Barnes made him pay for the free passes. Barnes, appearing in his 14th game with the JetHawks, doubled just inside the right field line to drive in his 13th and 14th runs.
That would be more than enough for Hicks, who went seven innings and allowed just one earned run on seven six hits. Hicks struck out three Storm batters and walked just one. Perhaps his most impressive inning came in the sixth, when he retired Lake Elsinore in order on just five pitches.
The Storm did post two runs in the fourth, but not without a little help from the JetHawks' defense. After Keoni Ruth struck out to begin the inning, Matt Clark doubled to center. James Darnell then grounded out to short and Clark had to stay put at second. Danny Payne then singled to right, but Clark - who had been given the stop sign at third base by Carlos Lezcano - only scored when the ball was bobbled in right field. Andre Parrino then walked, and Payne scored on another JetHawks error.
The JetHawks re-established their cushion in the sixth, when they scored three runs with two outs. The rally began when Steele singled to right; Barnes singled to left and then Matt Barnes brought Steele home on a ground-rule double to left. Gabriel Suarez then doubled on a first-pitch fastball to right, and the JetHawks were in front 10-2.
The Storm got their only earned run off Hicks in the seventh. Beamer Weems walked with two outs, and Sawyer Clark tripled him home. Hicks finished his outing with a fly ball from Ruth, and Hicks had his fourth quality start of the season and second consecutive seven-inning start.
Jack Tilghman came on in relief of Hicks and shut the Storm out for the final two innings.
Tomorrow night we host the Independence Day Extravaganza at the Hangar. There are fewer than 100 general admission tickets remaining to a ballgame that will feature a pre-game concert from Riff Raff and American Idol finalist Mishavonna Henson, and a fireworks display at the end of the game.
Great ticket packages, including season tickets and flexible mini-plans, are on sale now for the 2009 season and may be ordered by calling (661) 726-5400. For more information, please visit the JetHawks official website at www.JetHawks.com.
California League Stories from July 3, 2009
- Giants Stay Hot With 10-0 Shutout Of Ports - San Jose Giants
- JetHawks July 3 Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks Show Tickets Sold Out - Lancaster JetHawks
- Hicks Deals, JetHawks Offense Explodes In Win - Lancaster JetHawks
- Giants blank Ports 10-0 - Stockton Ports
- Quakes Fall To Mavericks 6-2 - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
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