JetHawks Roar Back to Take Rubber Match

VISALIA, CA - The Rawhide held an early lead but, in what felt like a carbon copy of Visalia's four-run rally last night, Lancaster used three consecutive two-out hits to stage a four-run fifth inning and take the lead for good. They'd tack on insurance in the sixth and eighth to beat the Rawhide 8-2.

Rawhide starter Cole Stapler was one out away from getting out of the eighth after getting Manny Melendez to fly out to center, which moved Brian Serven and Max George to third and second base respectively. Then Carlos Herrera opened the floodgates with a two run single to right. Tyler Nevin doubled home a pair to cap the four-run inning.
Stapler (L, 0-3) had worked through four strong innings before the fifth and lasted through six innings while allowing a career-high six runs on nine hits. He struck out four and walked one. Robby Sexton allowed the final two JetHawks runs on a triple by Melendez in the eighth.
Serven put up his first career four-hit game for Lancaster (51-51/18-14) and scored two runs while driving in one.
Both runs of offense for Visalia (50-52/13-19) came on solo home runs from Pavin Smith (10) and Ramon Hernandez (14) to lead off the second and third innings respectively. The Rawhide put runners on first and second in the fourth, sixth, and eighth innings, but failed to score.
Renae Martinez singled in the fourth to extend his hitting streak to 11 games, which ties Jason Morozowski for the longest streak by a Rawhide player this year. Mark Karaviotis, Jasrado Chisholm, and Dominic Miroglio all added singles for Visalia.
JetHawks starter Logan Longwith lasted 3.2 innings and was responsible for both Visalia runs. Heath Holder (W, 7-0) picked up the win by tossing 2.1 scoreless innings of relief.
The Rawhide have now lost five consecutive series and are back to a season-low two games below the .500 mark.
Visalia his the road for a three-game series against Inland Empire tomorrow. First pitch is slated for 7:05 PM and will feature Rawhide RHP Riley Smith (4-5, 4.08) against 66ers RHP Adrian De Horta (0-1, 8.64).