Hawks Take the Finale Against Hops

Hillsboro, OR: After dropping the first two ball games to the Hillsboro Hops, the Boise Hawks looked to salvage the finale at Ron Tomkin Field. Boise would come out swinging and get just that, taking down Hillsboro 9-3.

The ball game started quickly. Steven Linkous bunted the very first pitch of the game, surprising Hops starter Mack Lemieux and reaching at first. Linkous stole second and was driven in by Jacob Bosiokovic's two out double into shallow right. Lemieux was welcomed to the Northwest League in the worst way, giving up the lead in the first in his first short-season start.

The lead didn't last long however. Hillsboro scored Marcus Wilson from second on an RBI single courtesy of Josh Anderson. Hawks starting pitcher Antonio Santos would settle down however through the fifth inning. Santos had a stretch of seven in a row retired, twice. The two stretches were only broken up by a walk in the third.

Boise's offense backed up Santos. The Hawks would grab the lead right back in the second inning. Ryan Stephens led off the second with a single and came in on an RBI groundout by Daniel Suero. With a 2-1 lead, Boise exploded in the fifth.

Four runs came in against the Hops, three of which were unearned. The Hillsboro defense would commit an error and the Hawks offense took advantage of every mistake in the inning. Boise was able to take a 6-1 lead after only collecting two hits in the fifth.

A similar seventh inning would plate three. It came after the Hops got a two run double by Ramon Hernandez in the sixth. With the Boise bullpen on the mound, it was smooth sailing with a 9-3 lead.

The combination of Justin Calomeni, Jared Gesell, and Kyle Cedotal would not allow any runs, coming on in the fifth, and did not give up a single hit. Boise would cruise to salvage the third and final game in Hillsboro.

The Hawks return home on Friday night to take on the Eugene Emeralds. Friday night's affair will wrap up with a post-game fireworks show. Tickets are still available on BoiseHawks.com or by calling (208) 322-5000.

FINAL: Boise - 9 Hillsboro - 3

WP: Antonio Santos (2-4)

LP: Mack Lemieux (0-1)

HR: None