Hillsboro Pulls Away Late to Defeat Eugene, 3-1
August 29, 2015 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Eugene Emeralds News Release
EUGENE, Ore. - Hillsboro broke open a 1-1 tie with a two-run eighth and went on to defeat the Eugene Emeralds, 3-1, on Friday night to open a three-game series at PK Park.
Eugene (18-12, 35-33) saw its lead in the Northwest League South Division second half standings go from two games to one game with the loss to the Hops. Hillsboro, winners of the first half, improved to 17-13 with the win.
Eugene starter Preston Morrison was nearly untouchable early. He allowed a two-out single in the first, but punched out three batters in the frame. In the second inning, he posted an immaculate inning, with three more strikeouts on just nine total pitches. In fact, including the last at-bat of the first inning and the first at-bat of the third inning, Morrison tossed 16 straight strikes to five different hitters. Reliever Pedro Araujo (0-1) took the loss after allowing two unearned run on one hit and two walks. Donnie Dewees and P.J. Higgins each had two hits to lead the Emeralds' offense.
Hillsboro took an early lead in the fourth inning when Dansby Swanson, the No. 1 overall pick the in the 2015 MLB draft, singled and eventually scored from third on a double play grounder. Eugene notched it up one inning later however, when Alex Bautista started the fifth with a double down the third base line. He moved to third on a groundout then scored on another groundout, with Frandy De La Rosa getting the RBI.
Hillsboro broke the game open in the eighth with just one hit. Catcher Alexis Olmeda singled to start the frame and, after the Ems failed to get an out on a fielder's choice sac bunt, an intentional walk loaded the bases. Olmeda scored on a wild pitch and another walk loaded the bases again. A strikeout preceded a sac fly to score another run before a pop out to short ended the inning.
Up Next: The Emeralds meet Hillsboro tomorrow in the second game of a three-game set, the final home games for Eugene in the 2015 regular season.
Northwest League Stories from August 29, 2015
- Indians, Canadians Split Doubleheader - Spokane Indians
- Olmeda Does the Hustle as Hops Top Ems - Hillsboro Hops
- Zeutenhorst Leads Frogs over Dust Devils - Everett AquaSox
- Vancouver stumbles in back end of marathon night out at Avista Stadium - Vancouver Canadians
- Olmeda Does the Hustle As Hops Top Ems - Hillsboro Hops
- Hillsboro Pulls Away Late to Defeat Eugene, 3-1 - Eugene Emeralds
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