May 28, 2023 – Northwest League (NWL) – Everett AquaSox News Release
EUGENE, OR: Alberto Rodriguez hit two home runs and drove in five as the Everett AquaSox (22-22) swept a doubleheader from the Eugene Emeralds (23-21). Everett jumped out early and won the opener 4-2 behind a complete game outstanding performance from pitcher Reid VanScoter. The AquaSox then overcame an early deficit to close out the night with an 8-6 victory in the nightcap.
Game 1- Everett AquaSox 4 Eugene Emeralds 2
Rodriguez continued to stay hot and wasted little time in hitting a home run for the third straight game. Rodriguez belted his seventh homer of the season over the right center field wall in the first inning, a two-run shot that scored Ben Ramirez to give the AquaSox a 2-0 lead. Everett added a run in the second and the third innings and led it 4-0.
The Emeralds cut the Sox lead in half with two runs in the fourth on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Jared Dupere and an RBI single by Adrian in the fourth inning but got no closer. AquaSox pitcher Reid VanScoter kept the Emeralds from scoring again over the final three innings of the game. VanScoter went the distance, pitching a season high seven innings, allowing six hits, two runs, one earned run, no walks while striking out six.
Game 2- Everett AquaSox 8 Eugene Emeralds 6
CLICK HERE FOR GAME TWO BOX SCOREThe nightcap of the doubleheader was a makeup game of a rainout that was scheduled to be played in Everett on April 9th. Eugene played the role of the visiting team in their home park and consequently would start the game as the hitting team. The Emeralds hitters took the opportunity to get on the board in the top of the first inning. Logan Wyatt hit a two-run single into right field, scoring Grant McCray and Damon Dues for the 2-0 lead.
Eugene’s lead was short lived as the AquaSox responded with a three-run home run off the bat of Walking Cabrera in the bottom of the first inning. Cabrera’s sixth home run of the year sailed over the center field fence, scoring Ben Ramirez and Tyler Locklear to put Everett ahead 3-2 after one inning.
With the game tied at three, Blake Rambusch put the AquaSox back on top in the bottom of the second inning with a double into right field that brought Mike Salvatore home. The Sox added on two more runs in the frame when Rodriguez stroked a two-run single into center field, scoring Erik Stock and Rambusch to put Everett up 6-3.
Rodriguez homered in his fourth straight game in the top of the fourth inning over the deepest part of the park in center field. The solo shot was the eighth home run of the year for Rodriguez, his fifth home run in the last four games, sixth home run over the past six games and seventh home run over the past eight games.
The AquaSox added on one final run in the fourth when Tyler Locklear scored on a Charlie Welch single to increase the Everett lead to 8-4.
Eugene made things interesting in the seventh (and final) inning. Wyatt’s RBI single scored Dues followed by a Jimmy Glowenke RBI double that scored Bericoto cut the Sox lead to 8-6. Eugene had the bases loaded with only one out before Everett reliever Peyton Alford closed out the game by striking out Edison Mora and then getting Santos to groundout to clinch the win.
LOOKING AHEAD: The two teams are scheduled to close out their seven-game series on Sunday May 28. LHP Raul Alcantara (0-2, 10.87 ERA) will start for Everett and RHP Nick Sinacola (0-1, 4.70 ERA) will start for Eugene. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. and the pre-game show begins at 3:45 p.m. Tune in to 1380 AM/95.3 FM for all of the action.
The Frogs return to the friendly confines of Funko Field for a six-game homestand against the Hillsboro Hops starting May 29 for a special Monday Memorial Day Game starting at 4:05 PM. The series resumes on Wednesday, May 31st, and runs through Sunday, June 4th.
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