TJs edge Everett in 15 innings – Medford News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News

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TJs edge Everett in 15 innings Aug 21, 1999 12:00 AM A A Hochgesang hits in winner after tough day Josh Hochgesang was having a tough night at the plate for the Southern Oregon Timberjacks at Miles Field Friday. But he made amends when he stroked a single off Everett third baseman Vic Leone's shoulder with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 15th to give the Timberjacks a much-needed 3-2 win over the Everett AquaSox. Entering the 15th inning, Hochgesang, a seventh-round 1999 draft pick who joined the team recently after a long holdout, hitless and had struck out four times. The victory protected the Timberjacks' one-game lead in the Northwest League Southern Division standings over the Portland Rockies. Portland defeated Spokane 8-6 Friday night. Southern Oregon's Mike Lockwood opened the bottom of the 15th inning with a single to right-center field and eventually scored on Hochgesang's bad-hop single. Right-hander Matt Gage (7-6) picked up the win in the marathon game with six innings of three-hit relief. Gage allowed one earned run with four strikeouts and one walk. The teams play the second game of the five-game series at 7:05 tonight at Miles Field. Nate Hilton started and went 6 innings, allowing fives hits and one run. Photo by Drew Fleming Southern Oregon Timberjacks pitcher Nate Hilton keeps Everett in check in the early going.