Boise Takes Game Two of the Series, 4-2

Everett, WA - The Boise Hawks scored four runs Thursday night, enough to come on top of the Everett Conquistadores who could only muster two runs on five hits after scoring 10 runs off 20 hits Wednesday night. The Conquistadores are now 5-5 in the second half of the season and in a three-way tie for second place in the North Division.

Boise got off to a quick start Thursday, loading the bases with only one out in the top of the first inning. University of Washington product, Willie MacIver hit a sharp line drive single to center field, scoring two for the Hawks. Some damage control came in the form of a 6-4-3 double play, getting the Conquistadores out of the inning relatively unscathed, 2-0 Hawks.
Everett countered the two-run first inning with a run of their own in the bottom of the second. Ryan Ramiz hit a two-out single to center field, plating Connor Kopach from second base.
Though Conquistadores starter Carlos Hernandez struggled out of the gate Thursday, he recovered nicely in the following innings. After allowing two runs in the opening frame, the right-hander pitched four scoreless innings. His night came to an end after the top of the fifth inning, finishing with 5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 6 SO.
Nolan Hoffman took over on the mound in the top of the sixth inning and struggled from the get-go. The right-hander allowed two hits in the sixth inning, placing two Hawks in scoring position. A fielding error by Bobby Honeyman accounted for the third Boise run of the night.
A half inning later the Conquistadores cut into the two-run deficit. Cal Raleigh unleashed on the first pitch he saw, skying one 419 feet over the left-center field wall. That home run was Raleigh's fourth in five games. No other Conquistadores were able to cross the plate in the inning and the Conquistadores still trailed the Hawks by one run, 3-2.
In the top of the seventh inning, Hoffman would give a single to LJ Hatch to start the inning and follow it up by hitting Cole Anderson allowing the first two Hawks on base. The Conquistadores would turn a double play, but Hatch would advance to third on the play. Terrin Vavra hit a line drive to center field which would land 6 inches away from a diving Josh Stowers in center field. Hatch would score on the play putting the Hawks up, 4-2. Two batters later Danny Edgeworth would strikeout swinging to end the top of the seventh.
The Conquistadores were shut down quickly in the bottom of the seventh by Colten Schmidt after he walked Ramiz to start the inning. Nick Rodriguez would fly out to center field, Ramiz was caught stealing second base and Jansiel Rivera ended the inning called out on strikes.
Dayeison Arias, who entered the game in the eighth inning, did not allow the Hawks to score any more runs. The Conquistadores offense, which was on fire entering the contest, could not bat them out of the two-run deficit. The game concluded with Boise on top, 4-2.
Stowers put on another impressive performance for the Conquistadores. He logged his third straight multi-hit game and stole two bases. Stowers now stands alone atop the Conquistadores stolen base leaders with 8.
Friday the Everett AquaSox will play the third game of the five-game homestand against the Boise Hawks at 7:05 PM. The first 750 fans will receive a set of the official 2018 Everett AquaSox Baseball Card Set courtesy of Joe and Jimmy's Sports Cards and it's also Harry Potter Night and Girl Scouts Night at the ballpark!
W: J. Valdespina (2-1)
L: C. Hernandez (3-4)
S. PJ Poulin (5)
About the Everett AquaSox
The Everett AquaSox, Seattle Mariners affiliate since 1995, continue to offer the most affordable family entertainment in the Pacific Northwest since 1984. Tickets for Friday's game and the remaining of the season are available for purchase through our website at www.AquaSox.com or by calling our front office (425) 258-3673. To stay up to date on your Everett AquaSox, follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/EverettAquaSox or visit www.AquaSox.com