EVERETT — Propelled by a seven-run eighth inning, the Eugene Emeralds defeated the Everett AquaSox 10-4 on Silver Sluggers Night at Funko Field.
AquaSox starting pitcher Christian Little was sharp in his High-A debut. The 22-year-old righty from Louisiana State University threw five innings of one-run baseball, allowing only two hits while striking out four and walking two. Little’s only earned run allowed came as Eugene scratched one run across in the top of the fifth when Jean Carlos Sio scored on a wild pitch.
Eugene extended their lead to 2-0 in the top of the sixth. Jonah Cox doubled with one out, later advancing to third base and later scoring on a balk committed by AquaSox pitcher William Fleming. Everett threatened in the bottom part of the frame as Carter Dorighi and Felnin Celesten collected consecutive one-out singles, but a strikeout and flyout to center field ended the rally efforts.
The Emeralds continued to slowly build their lead in the top of the seventh, adding their third run. Sio hit a leadoff single, and Onil Perez doubled him home against Everett’s William Fleming. The floodgates burst open as Eugene powered a seven-spot in the top of the eighth, highlighted by Nate Furman’s grand slam to right-center field against Lucas Kelly.
Leading 10-0, the Eugene bullpen held Everett to four runs across the final three innings of the game to lock down their victory and a 2-0 series advantage. Everett loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the ninth, allowing Tai Peete to hit into an RBI groundout to break the shutout.
Continuing the rally was Brandon Eike, who hit a two-run double, and Curtis Washington Jr., who hit into an RBI groundout. However, a strikeout with Eike on third base ended the game, allowing Eugene to secure a 10-4 victory to take a 2-0 series lead.
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