JetHawks back on right track

Lancaster finally beat High Desert behind a strong offense

By ED HARBOUR
Valley Press Staff Writer

Though it wasn't quite what the doctor ordered, Lancaster gladly took a 13-9 win over High Desert before a crowd of 2,735 at Maverick Stadium, and looked rejuvenated for it.

The JetHawks used a five-run first and two in each the second and sixth to jump-start a sputtering offense.

"The offense went out and busted their (behinds) out there," Parent said. "Our guys did agreat job at the plate to keep us in the game."

The JetHawks opened the game with a bang with that five-run first.

For the second game in a row Corey Freeman started things off with a single. Freeman and Willie Bloomquist would come around to score on a triple from Terrmel Sledge for the game's first runs.

Bo Robinson and Craig Kuzmic followed with back-to-back runscoring singles, with Kuzmic scoring on his own hit, thanks to two errors from right fielder Dan Williford.

In the first inning the JetHawks batted around for the 10th time this season. It was also the seventh time this year that Lancaster scored in double figures.

Outfielder Harvey Hargrove showed the first signs that his hitting woes could end soon. A couple bounces his way led to a 2-for-4 night.

"Man, I didn't hit either of those very well," Hargrove said. "But you have to take them where you find them.

"I was even thinking about bunting on that second hit."

Hargrove started the sixth with a single off of the glove of third baseman Jeff Brooks and would come around to score on a triple from Freeman; he would then score on a groundout from Bloomquist.

Freeman got things going again in the eighth with a leadoff walk. Freeman would score for the third time in the game on Lancaster's third triple of the game, this one courtesy of Fulse.

Bloomquist followed with his first hit and second RBI of the game, driving in Fulse with a single.

Things nearly got out of control for High Desert but high fly balls from Sledge and Robinson both fell short of leaving the park, being tracked down at the warning track for consecutive outs.

The Mavericks tagged Lancaster starter Jeff Heaverlo for seven runs, five in the second inning.

"Jeff just didn't have his stuff," Parent said. "He was frustrated and I was frustrated with him tonight."

High Desert strung together five hits, four singles and a home run from Jeff Powers, in the second alone to help chase Heaverlo after four innings.

In the third High Desert tacked on another pair of runs off Heaverlo to tie the game at 7-7.

Through an inning and a half, Heaverlo had a seven run lead that he could not hold, as they touched him for eight hits in the second and third innings.

Heaverlo has struggled since starting the season 3-0. He has picked up two losses and no wins since then.

The Mavericks got to reliever Cody Morrison for a run in the eighth, but he stilled earned the win in long relief to up his record to 4-1.

Morrison threw 4 2/3 innings, scattering six hits with three strikeouts and no walks.

"Once I got stretched out I felt really good," Morrison said. "It was one of those situations where you know you're going to be in there for a while and you have to adjust."

Denny McDaniel finished up the game for Lancaster on the hill and notched his second save of the year.

"Cody was able to go a lot longer than I thought he could," Parent said, "and with a four run lead we were able to get McDaniel in to see if he could get his stuff) together." Despite being the last place team in the South Division, the Mavericks have been a thorn in the side for Lancaster.

In a two game set early this year at the Hangar, the Mavericks swept Lancaster, outscoring the 'Hawks 23-12. High Desert is the only team that Lancaster does not have at least a .500 record against (0-2).

Uploaded May 22, 2000