Cerione Crushes Hawks in 6-4 Win
The Hawks took their first lead of the series when Hak-Ju Lee led off the game by hitting a home run to center field - giving Boise an early 1-0 lead.
The AquaSox did not wait long to tie the score, as Matt Cerione hit a lead off home run of his own in the bottom of the first to tie the game at 1-1.
Boise used the long ball to take the lead once again in the top of the fourth. Logan Watkins led off with a bunt single to first, before Bobby Wagner sent a Chris Kirkland fast ball over the right-center field fence to put the Hawks on top 3-1.
Everett answered quickly as James Jones led off the bottom of the fourth by hitting a screamer down the third base line for a double. With one out, Ben Billingsley hit a routine fly ball to left field, but the left fielder D.J. Fitzgerald lost it in the lights - allowing Jones to score and Billingsley to be safe at second. Trevor Coleman followed by drawing a walk, before Jose Rivero bounced into a fielder's choice to put runners at first and third with two outs. With Anthony Phillips batting, Billingsley came in to score on a wild pitch to tie the game at 3-3.
The back-and-forth affair continued when the Hawks scored a run in the top of the fifth on a Watkins groundout, which scored Matt Williams to make the score 4-3.
The AquaSox tied the score in the next half inning on Cerione's second home run of the game - a solo shot to right field to tie the game at 4-4.
The Frogs would go on top for good in the bottom of the eighth. Mario Martinez led off the inning with a double and went to third on a Jones ground out. With two outs, Martinez would come in to score on a balk, before Billingsley reached first on a walk. Billingsley would come all the way around to score on a Coleman double to give the Frogs a 6-4 lead.
Boise threatened in the top of the ninth when they put runners at first and second with just one out. Daniel Cooper (S, 8) came in to extinguish the flames as he shut down the Hawks to secure his eighth save of the season in the 6-4 victory.
Martinez's eighth inning double extended his hitting streak to a franchise record 19 games.
The AquaSox and Hawks will do battle in game three of the five-game set tomorrow night. Taylor Stanton (2-2, 4.26) will get the start for the AquaSox. Stanton will be opposed by Robert Whitenack (0-2, 4.10). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.