Raleigh's Rally Not Enough, Hawks Win, 7-6
Published on August 6, 2018 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Everett AquaSox News Release
Nick Rodriguez of the Everett AquaSox at bat
(Everett AquaSox)
Everett, WA - The AquaSox lost a tough game in extra innings Sunday, after giving up a one-run lead in the top of the ninth inning in front of 3,388 fans. Nick Rodriguez went 4-for-4 in the loss and has logged hits in six of his last eight at-bats.
AquaSox starter Ivan Fortunato struggled to find the strike zone in the early going, walking three batters in the first two frames. Fortunato allowed a two-out double to LeeMarcus Boyd in the top of the second inning to the left center gap, scoring LJ Hatch from second base, 1-0 Hawks.
The first two pitches by Fortunato in the third inning accounted for a double and a single, putting runners on the corners with no outs. A sacrifice fly to deep center field by Danny Edgeworth allowed Kennard McDowell to tag up from third base, 2-0.
Fortunato's day ended after the fourth inning, as Frogs reliever Penn Murfee took the mound in the top of the fifth. Fortunato finished with 4 IP, 2 ER, 4 BB, 4 SO.
The score remained 2-0 until the top of the sixth when Boise mustered up another run. With two outs on the scoreboard, Murfee attempted to pick off Boyd at first base, however, the throw got past first baseman Rodriguez. The costly error advanced Boyd to third base. A single by Cade Harris on the next at-bat brought Boyd home, 3-0.
An AquaSox scoring opportunity finally presented itself in the bottom of the sixth inning as both Cal Raleigh and Rodriguez logged hits, putting runners on first and third base. Matt Sanders then hit a high fly ball to center field, plating Raleigh for the Frogs first run, 3-1.
Reliever Jamal Wade entered the contest in the seventh inning for the AquaSox and struggled from the get-go. Wade immediately accounted for a Boise double off the bat of Luke Morgan. Morgan then stole third base, and a throwing error by Raleigh scored the fourth Boise run, 4-1.
By all indications, the AquaSox were on their way to a loss Sunday, but a pitching change in the top of seventh opened the door for Everett. Boise reliever Colten Schmidt entered the game and quickly allowed two AquaSox runs. Raleigh knocked a double to center field, scoring Ryan Ramiz and Josh Stowers, 4-3 Hawks. Schmidt was then replaced on the mound by Eric Hepple, but the change had no effect on the AquaSox offense. Connor Kopach scored Bobby Honeyman on a single to left. Rodriguez then doubled, plating Raleigh. The explosive inning ended with the AquaSox on top of the Hawks for the first time in the ballgame, 5-4.
Everett came to within three outs of a comeback win Sunday, but the Hawks added a run in the top of the ninth by the way of a Hatch triple that brought Morgan home, 5-5. The AquaSox were not able to walk-off in the bottom half of the inning, as Rodriguez's double to lead off the inning, was not enough and the ballgame would head to extra innings.
The Hawks, aided by an automatic runner on second base, scored two runs off a McDowell double, 7-5 Hawks. The AquaSox would start the bottom of the tenth with McConnell on second. McConnell would score with one out in the inning after Stowers singled to left field. Honeyman would fly out to left field leaving the game in the hands in Raleigh. With Raleigh at the plate, PJ Poulin's wild pitch would advance Stowers 90 feet. Raleigh's count would go 2-2 when he would pop up to second baseman McDowell ending the game, 7-6 in the 3:44 contest.
Sunday's loss concluded the series against Boise. Monday, Josh Stowers, Michael Plassmeyer, Connor Kopach and Jheyson Caraballo will head to Grand Junction, Colorado for the Northwest League vs. Pioneer Baseball League All-Star Game. Regular season games will continue Thursday, August 9 as the AquaSox host a five-game series against the Eugene Emeralds. There will be several promotions for fans to look forward to including, Braden Bishop 4MOM Bobblehead Giveaway, Frogs Replica Jersey Blanket Giveaway, and the Seattle Children's Family Festival!
W: P. Gray (4-0)
L: N. Hoffman (0-2)
S: PJ Poulin (6)
Images from this story
 Nick Rodriguez of the Everett AquaSox at bat |
Northwest League Stories from August 6, 2018
- Bobby Honeyman Receives NWL Player of the Week - Everett AquaSox
- Miller's Impressive Night Not Enough - Tri-City Dust Devils
- Wild Finish Gets Boise a 7-6 Victory - Boise Hawks
- Raleigh's Rally Not Enough, Hawks Win, 7-6 - Everett AquaSox
- Walk-Off Wild Pitch Gives Ems Series - Eugene Emeralds
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