JetHawks start strong in second half

LANCASTER, Calif. - The JetHawks began the Second Half of the 2018 season with a win, beating Inland Empire, 7-5, at The Hangar Thursday night. Ty Culbreth pitched into the seventh, and the offense provided seven early runs in the victory.

Culbreth (3-3) threw six shutout frames before allowing three runs in the seventh. He allowed six hits and two walks while striking out three in the win.
Lancaster (34-37) scored two runs in each of the first three innings to jump in front. Vince Fernandez and Jacob Bosiokovic each hit RBI singles in the first inning. In the second, Alan Trejo drove in a pair with a single. Brian Serven homered and Steven Linkous added an RBI single in the third.
Linkous drove in another run with a single in the fifth inning to give the JetHawks a 7-0 lead. Inland Empire's Simon Mathews (0-2) allowed seven runs (five earned) in 4.1 innings.
Inland Empire (33-38) made things interesting with some late runs. After scoring three in the seventh, the 66ers scored runs in the eighth and ninth innings. The bullpen closed the door for Lancaster, with Reid Humphreys picking up his 14th save of the season.
Lancaster's offense had 11 hits in the win, with four JetHawks recording multi-hit games. Linkous and Trejo each drove in two runs, while Jacob Bosiokovic had his second two-hit game. 
The first series of the Second Half continues Friday night. David Hill (1-2) goes against lefty Nate Bertness (1-4) in game two versus the 66ers. It's World Cup Weekend, with postgame fireworks. First pitch is set for 6:35 pm.