Mizell, Correa lead power surge as 'Hawks even series

LANCASTER, Calif. - Aaron Mizell and Christian Correa each hit two of the seven home runs for the JetHawks, as they extended their season with a 17-11 victory over the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in Game 2 on Thursday night at The Hangar.

Mizell now has three home runs in the first two games of the series. He drove in three and scored three runs on the night. Correa, whose five hits for the JetHawks in the regular season all went for extra bases, was 3-for-5 with four runs batted in.

Trent Woodward, Marc Wik, and Jamie Ritchie each went deep for the JetHawks. Richie came a triple shy of the cycle. He has reached base eight times in the first two games of the series.   

After dropping a heartbreaking contest on Wednesday in 16 innings, the JetHawks fell behind right away. Erick Mejia reached on an infield single on the first pitch of the game. Two pitches later, Michael Ahmed launched a two-run homer over the wall in left.

Rancho Cucamonga's lead did not last long. The first eight JetHawks all picked up hits and all scored against Quakes starter Michael Boyle. Woodward hit a two-run blast and Correa added a three-run shot to cap the scoring in the frame. Bryan Muniz delivered a two-run double.

Leading 11-3 heading into the fifth inning, the Quakes put up five runs to get right back in the game. It was as close as they would come, however. All five runs came with two out. Matt Beaty brought home two with a double and Johan Mieses added a three-run homer.

Noah Perio, who was the hero on Wednesday night with a walk-off single, had two home runs for Rancho Cucamonga.

Every JetHawks starter recorded a hit. They had 19 in the game. Seven of the nine starters tallied multi-hit games. Ritchie, Mizell, and Correa had three hits apiece.

Jose Hernandez (1-0) picked up the win for the JetHawks, despite allowing eight runs on 11 hits in five innings. Scott Weathersby took over and tossed two scoreless innings in relief, retiring six of the seven hitters he faced. Chris Murphy followed with a scoreless frame of his own.

Michael Boyle (0-1) suffered the loss for Rancho Cucamonga, but was able to finish five innings. Chris Anderson pitched the remaining three frames for the Quakes.

The series concludes on Friday night at The Hangar. Akeem Bostick will start for Lancaster against Adam Bray. First pitch is 6:35 p.m.