PORT ANGELES — The 2019 Port Angeles Lefties season is underway.
Port Angeles lost an action-packed 10-7 exhibition game to the Northwest Honkers Thursday night in the team’s season opener at Civic Field.
Nick Diponzio swung a big bat for the Lefties as the Stetson University outfielder went 4 for 5 with a solo home run to left-center field to score Port Angeles’ first run of the season in the bottom of the third. Diponzio later added an RBI single.
Justin Fugitt reached on a fielders’ choice, stole second and third and scored on a Alex Garcia groundout.
Baxter Halligan, a returning player from the 2018 Lefties added a sacrifice fly.
Trevor Rosenberg, another returner from the 2018 Lefties, doubled and scored on a Diponzio single for a 4-1 Lefties lead.
Damiano Palmegiani led off with a double, stole third and scored when Northwest catcher threw wild to third for a 5-1 Port Angeles advantage.
The Northwest Honkers tied it up in the sixth on a sacrifice fly and a three-run homer by No. 9 hitter Jordan Padilla.
Port Angeles struggled in the seventh, allowing the Honkers to score four runs on no hits, five walks, two passed balls and a wild pitch to take control of the game.
The Lefties allowed back-to-back bases-loaded walks in the frame, and after a pitching change, hit the first batter faced to bring in another run.
Ryan Mueller took the loss on the mound for Port Angeles.
The Lefties are back in action at Civic Field tonight against the Northwest Honkers with gates opening at 5:35 p.m. and first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News Lefties center fielder Nick Diponzio, center, is surrounded by his teammates after homering in the third inning against the Nortwest Honkers on Thursday at Port Angeles Civic Field.
Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News Lower Elwha Klallam tribal members Mitch Boyd and Becky Charles enjoy stadium hot dogs before Thursday’s Lefties season opener against the Northwest Honkers at Port Angeles Civic Field.
Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News Lefties second baseman Damiano Palmegiani dances into third as Northwest third baseman Kendall Yackley bobbles the ball on Thursday evening in Port Angeles.
