NWL1 Hillsboro Hops

Oh, Zuna Walk-Off Walk Wins It for Hops

Published on June 24, 2015 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Hillsboro Hops News Release


Fernery Ozuna of the Hillsboro Hops
Fernery Ozuna of the Hillsboro Hops
(Hillsboro Hops, Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer/Hillsboro Hops)

HILLSBORO, OR - It was the first home win of 2015, but it sure felt like a 2014 Hops victory. Down 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth, the Hops gritted their teeth and dug down deep to procure some late magic, culminating in a walk-off walk by Fernery Ozuna to claim the 5-4 victory over the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes in front of 5,177 delirious Hops fans at Ron Tonkin Field.

The Hops (3-3) started fast, after Tyler Bolton hung a zero in the top of the first, plating two runs on a Dane McFarland RBI double, and a Jose Queliz RBI single. Mcfarland's double plated newcomer Zach Nehrir, who went 4-5 with two doubles.

The Volcanoes (3-3) would strike back with two in the top of the third on a John Riley RBI groundout and a Miguel Gomez sacrifice fly to level the score at two through three innings.

Salem-Keizer then jumped ahead on another RBI groundout to make it 3-2.

Hops left Lawrence Pardo found himself in a jam in the top of the sixth. With a Volcano run already in, facing a 4-2 deficit, he found himself with the bases loaded and nobody out. He buckled down and got Riley swinging for the first out. Gomez then popped out weakly to second baseman Raymel Flores and Mark Nelson followed with a ground out to Flores. Pardo wriggled free with just the lone run on the board, and the Volcanoes led 4-2 through six innings.

Trailing by a couple in the bottom of the 8th, the Dominican contingent at the bottom of the Hops order got to work. With two outs, Ozuna beat out an infield single. When shortstop Sergio Alcantara ripped a double down the left field line, Ozuna was off and running. He flew around the bases and plated the third run for the Hops, and the deficit was one entering the final frame.

Fireball Ariel Hernandez, he of the triple-digit fastball posted a scoreless zero, and the Hops knew it would take one run to tie or two to win in the bottom of the ninth.

Eric Sim entered for the Volcanoes seeking the save, and ran into immediate trouble. Nehrir stroked a double to right, and Mcfarland followed with a walk. A passed ball moved Nehrir and Mcfarland to second and third base with nobody out and the meat of the Hops order to come.

Veras struck out, and designated hitter Trevor Mitsui grounded out to second, and suddenly Sim was in the driver's seat. But up stepped 2014 Hop Nate Robertson, who brought home the tying run on a catcher's interference.

With the game knotted at four, Fernery Ozuna found himself in a heroic position, and delivered a gritty at-bat, drawing a walk to force in the winning run, and igniting a celebration. Hillsboro took the home opener 5-4.

Game two of the three game set is tomorrow at Ron Tonkin Field at 7:05 PM. Jared Miller will start for the Hops, opposed by Logan Webb of Salem-Keizer. Pregame show will be on Rip City Radio 620 AM at 6:30 PM and at www.ripcityradio.com.

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Images from this story

Fernery Ozuna of the Hillsboro Hops
Fernery Ozuna of the Hillsboro Hops
(Craig Mitchelldyer/Hillsboro Hops)		   



Northwest League Stories from June 24, 2015


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