The Eugene Emeralds (11-18) captured the series win against the Everett Aquasox (19-10) after grabbing a 5-0 win in game four. This marks their third-straight win at home as they continue to play well after welcoming first rounder Hunter Renfroe to the club house this past Wednesday.
The Emeralds continued their great play on the mound this evening as they allowed no runs and five hits. Despite starting pitcher Jeffrey Enloe exiting after the first two innings due to the coaches’ discretion, the Emerald pitchers picked up right where he left off and finished the game strong. Line that up with the Emeralds having only given up three runs in the last three games and you have the best defensive three game stretch this team has seen thus far.
“Jeffrey had too many innings in college,” said manager jim Gabella after the game. “We’re trying to limit the innings now so he’ll be in the bull pen from now on.”
For the Aquasox it was a different story. In three innings, starting pitcher Jake Zokan gave up a staggering six hits and four earned runs as he gave the early advantage to the Emeralds. This proved to be the difference in the game and gave just the edge the Emeralds needed to come out of this game on top.
The Emeralds got on the board early as they brought home three runs in the bottom second. After loading the bases with a lone out, DH Marcus Davis — who was 3 for 37 entering this game — hit a two RBI triple to give the Emeralds their first lead of the game. Continuing in the bottom third, the Emeralds tacked on another run off of a Fernando Perez one RBI single to left field to hold a comfortable 4-0 lead in the fourth inning.
To finish the game off, the Emeralds recorded four more runs in the final four innings. In the fifth it was Ryan Miller bringing home Trae Santos on a RBI single, while Henry Charles recorded a one RBI single to left field in the sixth. Bringing home the final two runs in the bottom eighth was Renfroe who blasted a two run home run (first of season) to center field.
Renfroe has simply been on a tear in his minor league debut and continues to prove day-in-and-day-out why he is a deserving first round pick.
“It’s no different from college ball,” said Renfroe in reference to the transition to the minor leagues. “I’ve worked my whole life to be at this point and if I keep working hard it will come easy. There will be ups and downs, but you just got to keep working through them.”
Aside from Anthony Torres, the entire Emeralds batting order managed to record a hit in tonight’s game. In addition to 13 total hits, the Emeralds simply had one of their best offensive outings of the season and exit tonight’s game having notched a series win against the top team in the Northwest League North.
Despite having a sub-500 record this far, with the right mix of offense and defense these past three games, the Emeralds have hit a much needed streak of solid play. Though it is still early in the season, this recent spark in play has been reflected in this series and it could be a potential sign for more to come.