A 41-year drought ends for Eugene. The Pelicans are one game away from back-to-back titles.
We’re starting with Eugene tonight because you’ve already seen the artwork and figured it out.
Eugene Emeralds
The Eugene Emeralds beat the Everett AquaSox (Mariners), 2-1 to win the best-of-three series two games to one. It’s the first outright title for Eugene since 1975.
This story of this game was a matchup between the Northwest League Pitcher of the Year, Eugene’s Manuel Rondon, and the NWL Player of the Year, Everett’s Eric Filia. Rondon pitched five innings and allowed one run on six hits. Rondon walked two and struck out two.
There were two key moments in this game with Rondon on the mound. In the third inning, Rondon allowed a one-out single and then walked the next two batters to load them up for Filia. But he got Filia to hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat.
In the fifth inning with the Ems hanging on to a 1-0 lead, Rondon allowed two singles to put runners on the corners with two outs and then hit Filia to load the bases. The next batter up, Kristian Brito, singled to left field to score the tying run. But left fielder Kevonte Mitchell uncorked a perfect strike to the plate to get the runner trying to score from second base and keep the game tied 1-1. It was Mitchell’s first outfield assist of the year.
In the first inning, Mitchell had singled home Wladimir Galindo with two outs to give the Emeralds an early lead. Mitchell was 2 for 3 tonight. His other single came with out out the bottom of the fifth after the AquaSox tied the game. Mitchell was erased in a force out, but after D.J. Wilson singled with two outs, Yeiler Peguero singled home Robert Garcia to give the Ems back the lead.
Wilson and Peguero were both 1 for 4.
Duncan Robinson pitched the next two innings, allowing three hits but no walks and striking out one. Michael Knighton pitched the eighth inning, but he erased a one-out single with the Ems third double play of the game. Finally, closer Wyatt Short pitched a perfect ninth inning to end with the perfect ending to a season.
Some pictures
THERE IS A PARTY AT HOME PLAYE AND GOU ARE ALL INVITED LET'S GO EMS pic.twitter.com/aytEoceGIq
— Eugene Emeralds (@EugeneEmeralds) September 14, 2016
And:
Taking a victory lap with W flag pic.twitter.com/VEQLq1hBWU
— Steve Mims (@SteveMims_RG) September 14, 2016
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans took a two games to one lead in their best-of-five series with a 7-0 shutout of the Lynchburg Hillcats (Indians).
Trevor Clifton was close to untouchable tonight, getting the win after throwing six innings and allowing just three hits. Clifton struck out five and did not walk anyone.
Tommy Nance tossed two scoreless and Scott Effross pitched one scoreless inning to close out the win.
The Pelicans took a 1-0 lead in top of the first inning when Charcer Burks and David Bote both doubled. Burks was 2 for 3 with the double and a sacrifice fly which gave the Pelicans a 2-0 lead in the 3rd. He scored three times. Bote his a second RBI double in the seventh inning for the Pelicans seventh run. He was 2 for 4.
Center fielder Donnie Dewees was 2 for 3 with a sac fly and one run scored. Right fielder Jeffrey Baez hit an RBI triple in the sixth inning. He was 2 for 4.
The Pelicans will try to win their second-straight Mills Cup Championship tomorrow night. Preston Morrison will take the mound for the Birds. Duane Underwood Jr. will pitch game five, if necessary.