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Matthews Homers Again in Eugene, but Emeralds Come Out on Top

June 22, 2022

The Tri-City Dust Devils’ (28-32) Gabe Matthews homered for the fourth time this season at his college home field, but the hometown Eugene Emeralds (36-24) used a 5-run 1st inning to defeat the Dust Devils 5-2 Tuesday night at PK Park. The Emeralds piled on Tri-City starter Nick Mondak (2-6)

The Tri-City Dust Devils’ (28-32) Gabe Matthews homered for the fourth time this season at his college home field, but the hometown Eugene Emeralds (36-24) used a 5-run 1st inning to defeat the Dust Devils 5-2 Tuesday night at PK Park.

The Emeralds piled on Tri-City starter Nick Mondak (2-6) from the outset, with Eugene’s first five batters all getting hits in a five-run, six-hit inning that saw the Emeralds bat around.

Mondak battled back, though, allowing only one hit the rest of the way and getting through five innings in his start. Kyle Molnar (2 IP) and Connor Higgins (1 IP) combined for three perfect innings of relief work.

The Dust Devil offense had chances, including a bases loaded, one-out situation in the top of the 1st inning, but did not score until the 7th inning when Kyren Paris’ RBI groundout scored Kyle Lovelace to bring Tri-City within a 5-1 margin. Lovelace went 2-4 for the night.

Matthews then, to lead off the 8th inning, doubled Tri-City’s run total with a line drive home run to right field. Matthews’ 10th home run of the season made it a 5-2 game.

In the 9th inning the Dust Devils would get the tying run to the plate with two outs, following a D’Shawn Knowles single and a Paris walk. Jordyn Adams stung a line drive to right-center field, but Eugene’s Luis Matos made the catch to end the game and give Emeralds closer Nicholas Avila his ninth save of the season.

Tri-City and Eugene get back at it earlier Wednesday evening, with a doubleheader of seven-inning games beginning at 5:05 p.m. at PK Park. The Dust Devils’ Landon Marceaux will start Game 1, facing the Emeralds’ Ryan Murphy. Tri-City will send Zac Kristofak out to start a bullpen effort in Game 2, with Eugene’s Mason Black countering.

The doubleheader broadcast begins with the King Beverage Budweiser Pregame Show starting at 4:50 p.m. at dustdevilsbaseball.com and the MiLB First Pitch app.

Tickets for Tri-City’s next home series, June 28-July 3 against the Hillsboro Hops, and all games are on sale now. Ticket packages are also available and start at just $99, and special ticket rates are available for groups of 20 or more. For more information on Dust Devils single game, season, mini-plan (11, 22, 33) and group tickets, visit dustdevilsbaseball.com or call 509-544-8789.