AquaSox pound out 16 hits, win their fourth straight

Published 1:30 am Sunday, July 23, 2017

EVERETT — The Everett AquaSox and their red-hot bats continued their recent surge with yet another offensive outburst.

The AquaSox exploded for six runs in the first two innings Sunday and cruised to their fourth consecutive victory, pounding out 16 hits in an 11-5 win over the visiting Boise Hawks in front of 3,525 fans at Everett Memorial Stadium.

Austin Grebeck, Eugene Helder and Johnny Adams led the AquaSox offensive barrage with three hits apiece. Eight Everett batters had at least one hit.

“Sometimes you go to home plate thinking too much,” AquaSox manager Jose Moreno said. “But right now the hitters are keeping it simple — just trying to wait for a good pitch, controlling the zone and being ready to swing the bat.”

Everett (17-21) limped into the current five-game series against Boise having lost five of six games while managing just 17 runs combined over that stretch.

But since the Hawks (19-19) came to town last Thursday, the AquaSox have gone on an offensive tear. In the past four games, Everett has piled up 42 runs and 53 hits.

“I think we’re settling in, trying to control the zone a little better, and getting on fastballs and not missing them,” Grebeck said. “And I think that’s really been the key for us.”

Everett’s red-hot offense needed just four pitches to score the game’s first two runs.

AquaSox leadoff hitter Joseph Rosa tripled to begin the bottom of the first, lining the second pitch he saw just inside the first-base bag and into the right-field corner.

On the very next pitch, Grebeck launched a high-arching triple off the center-field fence to bring home Rosa. Grebeck then scored on the following pitch, which Helder drove into right field for an RBI single that gave Everett a quick 2-0 lead.

The AquaSox added four runs in the second inning, sending all nine batters to the plate and chasing Boise starter Pearson McMahan (0-1), who lasted just 1 2/3 innings.

Everett catcher Juan Camacho highlighted the four-run second by smashing his third home run of the season over the left-field fence. Rosa, Grebeck and Helder delivered three consecutive two-out RBI singles later in the inning to extend the lead to 6-0.

“We have a really good hitting club and we stay within ourselves,” Grebeck said. “We don’t try to do too much. We have guys who make contact throughout the lineup, and it’s awesome to see everybody getting hits.”

AquaSox starter Andres Torres (5-0) allowed two unearned runs and six hits in five innings, lowering his earned-run average to 2.45. The right-hander struck out three batters and walked none.

Torres has pitched 17 consecutive innings — and three straight starts — without allowing an earned run.

“He’s been doing really good so far, being able to attack the hitters, throw the fastball for a strike and then mix in a little bit when he needs to,” Moreno said. “Today he worked (into some) deep counts — that’s why he only went five innings. But very happy with the effort. (He) competed really well.”

Everett’s Joe Venturino extended the lead to 8-2 in the fifth on a shallow two-run single that Boise right-fielder Cole Anderson lost in the sun.

AquaSox designated hitter David Banuelos added a run-scoring single in the sixth and an eighth-inning RBI double off the high fence in left field to make it 11-3. Banuelos is 9-for-16 this series with one home run, six doubles and 12 RBI.

The AquaSox go for the five-game series sweep at 7:05 p.m. Monday.