Hillsboro scores early and often on way to win

Hillsboro, OR - The Hillsboro Hops were solid in all facets of the game en route to a comfortable 6-1 victory over the suddenly sliding Boise Hawks at Ron Tonkin Field.

    Kyle Anderson took the mound for the Hops (27-18, 5-2), who have shown no signs of slowing down after already securing a play-off berth in the first half of the season. Anderson allowed one unearned run in four innings of work, flashing swing-and-miss stuff while recording four strikeouts.

            Anderson was opposed by Trevor Clifton of the Hawks (24-21, 2-5) who was hit hard and struggled with his command, allowing ten base runners in his 3 2/3 innings. To make matters worse for Clifton, he was the victim of shaky defense as Boise committed two errors in the first four innings.

            It was a barrage of base hits for the Hops, who jumped on the Hawks early and refused to let up. Hillsboro tallied two in the first inning after Pedro Ruiz worked a leadoff walk and moved to third on Nyisztor's double down the right field line. George Roberts produced the first RBI of the night with a sacrifice fly to shallow center, and Heyman followed with a drilled double to the left-center field gap, plating Nyisztor.

            Boise responded with an unearned run in the top of the third when Galli Cribbs threw high to first base attempting to turn a double play, allowing Bryant Flete to score from third. That would be all the Hawks could muster against the Hops hurlers.

            Holding a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth, Hillsboro removed any concerns by posting three runs on a Heyman RBI single, a steal of home, and a wild pitch. The steal of home has become a staple in the Hops playbook when runners are on first and third. Heyman broke for second, drawing a throw from Boise's catcher, allowing Roberts to scoot home safely from third.

            Hillsboro tallied their sixth and final run in the bottom of the fifth when Jake Mayers scored on a Ruiz RBI groundout.

            Dan Savas came on to earn the win for the Hops, posting three scoreless innings, and Jared Miller followed him and made his professional debut with a scoreless inning. Mason McCullough finished off the dominant pitching performance for Hillsboro with a scoreless ninth inning, lighting up radar guns into the high-90's.

            The Hops will try for a three-game sweep of the Boise Hawks tomorrow night at 7:05 PM at Ron Tonkin Field. Oregon State University product Scott Schultz (2-2, 4.19) gets the ball for Hillsboro. Boise will counter with Joshua Conway (0-0, 3.26). Remember to tune into the pregame radio show on Rip City Radio 620 AM and www.foxsportsradio620.com at 6:35 PM.