Lancaster Takes Two-Game Lead Over 66ers in Division Championship

Lancaster, CA- The Lancaster JetHawks took a commanding two-games-to-none lead in the best-of-five California League Southern Division Championship on Sunday at The Hangar with a 5-2 win. The JetHawks held Inland Empire to 0-for-seven with runners in scoring position as the JetHawks moved to one win from avenging last season's elimination at the hands of the 66ers.

The 66ers got out in front in the first off JetHawks starter Kent Emanuel. Sherman Johnson led off the game with a base hit to center. With two outs, Angel Rosa lifted a double to center that scored the hustling Johnson from first to give IE a 1-0 lead. It stayed that way until the second, when Lancaster left fielder Danry Vasquez homered off Sixers starter Dan Tobik to tie the game 1-1.

Johnson delivered for the second-half champion 66ers in the fifth drilling a full-count pitch out for his first homer of the playoffs. The Florida State University alum drilled 17 homers in the regular season for the 66ers. The JetHawks answered with a run in the bottom of the frame however as Jack Mayfield singled to open the frame and Brett Phillips eventually knocked him in with a base hit.

The JetHawks (78-62 in regular season) took the lead with two runs the sixth. Reliever Jake Boyd allowed singles to Tyler White and Ronnie Mitchell to open the bottom of the frame. With one out and runners at the corners, Vasquez bounced a ball to IE first baseman Dennis Raben who took the ball to his bag to retire Vasquez. He then tossed to second to try and double off Mitchell but his throw was off the mark allowing Mitchell to reach second: White scored on the play to give the JetHawks a 3-2 lead. Roberto Pena then singled to left to score Mitchell and give Lancaster a 4-2 advantage. Boyd was charged with the loss and fell to 1-1 in the post-season.

The JetHawks scored an insurance run in the seventh when White knocked in Chan Moon with a sac fly to make it 5-2. Kent Emanuel earned the win with six solid innings for the JetHawks. The southpaw allowed two runs on four hits. A quartet of relievers held Inland Empire down with Andrew Walter earning his first save of the playoffs. Exicardo Cayones had two hits for Inland Empire plus a walk.

The series shifts to San Manuel Stadium on Monday at 7:05 pm. Tickets for games three and four are available for advance purchase at 66ers.com. The contest can be heard live at 66ers.com.