Infielder Ben McLaughlin (11) of the Hillsboro Hops during warmups of the Hillsboro Hops Opening Day game against the Eugene Emeralds at Hillsboro Ballpark on April 4, 2025. McLaughlin hit what amounted to the game-winning home run in the seventh inning against Everett on April 8.

We may have to start calling them the “Cardiac Kids” because for the second consecutive game the Hops came from behind, this time to the tune of a 7-6 win over the AquaSox in the first game of a six game series on Tuesday, April 8, at Funko Field in Everett.

Ben McLaughlin hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning to cap a five-run seventh, erasing a four-run deficit.

McLaughlin finished 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored, and was one of four Hillsboro hitters, including Druw Jones, Jansel Luis and Ryan Waldschmidt, with multiple hits.

The Sox roughed-up Hops starter Daniel Nunez, scoring two runs in each of the second, third and fourth innings.

Nunez left after an out in the fourth inning having allowed six earned runs on seven hits.

Everett starter Nick Payero pitched 4.1 innings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits.

Hillsboro scored their first two runs in the top of the fourth on a Luis two-run home run.

Hops relievers Liam Norris, Hayden Durke, Philip Abner and Luke Craig were dominant in relief, combining to allow just a single hit while striking out 10 in 4.2 shutout innings to close out the game.

Lazaro Montes, Josh Caron and Carson Jones all homered for the AquaSox.

The two teams will meet again at 7:05 p.m. tonight in Everett.