Game 67 - Boise Bats Struggle as Hawks Fall 2-1

The Boise Hawks (31-36, 10-19) fell to the Vancouver Canadians (36-31, 17-12) by a final score of 2-1 on Friday afternoon. Two solo home runs were enough offense for Vancouver to get the win.
 
Griffin Conine got the offense started for Vancouver in the first inning. Boise starter Jeffri Ocando got two outs on four pitches, but Conine went deep to make it a 1-0 Vancouver lead. It was Conine's 6th-home run of the season.
 
In the 3rd inning, Vancouver got another solo-home run, this time from Nick Podkul. The Canadians took a 2-0 lead on Podkul's third home run of the season.
 
Boise picked up their first run of the game in the 5th inning. After a Cade Harris walk, a groundball got past Vancouver third-baseman Otto Lopez and it put runners on 2nd and 3rd base for the Hawks. Jeff Bohling grounded out, but it scored Harris from third and the Hawks trailed at just 2-1.
 
Ocando finishes the afternoon going five innings allowing just two runs while striking-out four. But it was Vancouver's Randy Pondler who kept Boise hitters off-balance all afternoon. Pondler picks up the win while going seven innings and striking-out eight. His one run allowed in the 5th was not earned.
 
In the 9th inning, Boise got runners on first and second base, and Willie MacIver hit a line-drive up the middle but a diving play by centerfielder Tanner Kirwer ended the game and the Hawks fell 2-1.
 
The Hawks will continue their annual 11-game road trip and play the 9th game of the trip tomorrow against the Canadians. First pitch will be at 8:05 p.m. MT on 101.5 KOOL-FM. The Hawks will return home on Wednesday, August 29th to take on the Hillsboro Hops. Get your tickets at BoiseHawks.com or call 208-322-5000.