East Oregonian
HERMISTON— The Pepsi DiamondJaxx chopped away at a deficit against Mt. Angel in their first game on Saturday at the Hermiston Heat Father’s Day Tournament, coming within one run in the final inning before a heartbreaking ending.
Little did they know the emotional strain of the 8-7 loss would take the wind out of their next game of the tournament later in the day.
Before the Jaxx even had a turn in the batter’s box, the Hanford Flames had turned Weber Field in Hermiston into their own domain, scoring nine times in the top of the first inning. The Flames took advantage of a distracted DiamondJaxx squad, pounding the baseball when it inched within the strike zone, but otherwise laying off pitches, drawing five walks in the frame.