'Hawks walk off on McLaughlin single

LANCASTER, Calif. - Matt McLaughlin capped off a four-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning with a walk-off RBI single to give Lancaster a 7-6 win over the Stockton Ports Tuesday night. The win was Lancaster's first in walk-off fashion this season.

Lancaster (17-15) trailed, 6-3, going into the bottom of the ninth inning. Carlos Herrera got the scoring started with a solo home run. The JetHawks proceeded to load the bases without a hit, and Stockton's second error of the inning allowed two runs to score to tie the game.
Stockton (14-18) intentionally walked Todd Czinege to load the bases with the score tied and one out. Matt McLaughlin came through with a walk-off single up the middle to score Sean Bouchard and give the JetHawks a 7-6 victory. All four runs were charged to Nick Highberger (1-1), though only one was earned.
Austin Moore (2-0) pitched two scoreless innings to earn the victory for Lancaster. Stockton loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the ninth, but Moore was able to work out of danger.
The JetHawks jumped out to a three-run lead early. Herrera drove in two runs with a double in the second inning, and Luis Castro crushed a home run in the third inning.
The Ports answered in a big way in the fourth inning. Stockton scored five runs as each of the first six batters in the frame recorded hits. Stockton added another run in the fifth and led, 6-3, until the ninth inning.
The three-run comeback ties the largest of the season for the JetHawks. It's the team's second victory when trailing after eight innings.
The series against Stockton continues Wednesday night. Lancaster lefty Lucas Gilbreath (2-0) takes on Stockton's Brady Feigl (2-1). First pitch at The Hangar is 6:35 pm.
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