AquaSox fall short of NWL Title

EUGENE, Ore.- Tuesday night the Eugene Emeralds hosted Game Three of the Northwest League Championship Series. With the NWL Championship on the line at PK Park, Eugene's pitching staff limited the AquaSox to one run in a 2-1 Emerald win. Everett out hit Eugene nine to six, but failed to capitalize on multiple scoring opportunities. The AquaSox had a chance to score a second run, but the runner was called out on a play at the plate. Eugene catcher Tyler Payne appeared to give no lane for Bryson Brigman to slide.

Reggie McClain delivered a quality start for the AquaSox, tossing 4.2 innings while allowing two runs on five hits. McClain had his off-speed pitches working, striking out six Emeralds.

Manuel Rondon kept the AquaSox off balance all night, tossing five innings while allowing only one run to score. Rondon pitched to soft contact while changing speeds effectively.

Eugene struck first in the bottom of the second. Kevonte Mitchell hit an RBI single to left field, scoring Wladimir Galindo to make it 1-0 Eugene.

Kristian Brito knotted the game at 1-1 in the top of the fifth. Brito crushed an RBI single to left field, plating Dimas Ojeda. Bryson Brigman tried to score after Ojeda and was called out at the plate on a tough call.

Eugene responded with another run in the bottom of the fifth. Yeiler Peguero hit an RBI single into shallow right-center field, making it 2-1 Eugene. The hit forced Reggie McClain out of the game after throwing 4.2 innings. Lane Ratliff entered the game in relief of McClain, getting Chris Pieters to line out to right field with runners on first and second.

Jack Anderson entered the game in the eighth inning after Ratliff allowed runners to reach first and second with only one out. Anderson ended the Eugene threat to keep the score at 2-1 entering the seventh inning.

The NWL All-Star Game starting pitcher, Brandon Miller, entered the game in the seventh inning out of the bullpen. Miller pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out two.

Eugene's Michael Knighton and Wyatt Short shut down the AquaSox in the final two innings. Both relievers did not allow a hit, securing a 2-1 win and a 2016 NWL Title for the Eugene Emeralds.

Bryson Brigman, Kristian Brito and Dimas Ojeda all finished with two hits apiece. Brito collected the AquaSox only RBI on a single to left field.

WP: Rondon (1-0)

LP: McClain (0-1)

SV: Short (1)