Boise Bests Volcanoes 6-4 to Even Series
July 3, 2015 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes News Release
An exciting 8th inning, which saw Chris Shaw smash his first professional home run, was to be undone by a relentless Boise team, who plated two runs themselves in the 8th to take a 6-4 game two victory.
Salem Keizer (6-9) answered with rallying cries in both the fifth and eighth innings, only to see the Boise Hawks (6-9) respond triumphantly in both bottom halves of those frames. Two final runs in the eighth put Boise out in front, as a Volcanoes' bases-loaded opportunity in the ninth was eventually wasted.
Michael Connolly toed the rubber for the Craters in game two following Wednesday night's 7-5 win, looking to clinch the first road series of the season for Salem-Keizer. He was put to work early and often as the Hawks tallied eight hits in total off the University of Maine alum, plating four runs in the process.
The Hawks tallied one run each in the third and fourth innings to begin the scoring. Terry McClure and Brian Mundell each collected their fifth RBIs of the season on singles in the third and fourth innings, respectively.
Down 2-0, the Volcanoes answered right back in the fifth inning with two runs of their own. Richard Rodriguez used a ground ball to third base to plate Julio Pena, who was at third base with one out having reached on an error to lead off the inning. Then with two outs and nobody on, back-to-back singles from Ronnie Jebavy, who advanced to second on a wild pitch, and CJ Hinojosa, tied the game at two runs apiece.
Tie game! The craters use an error and a couple of base hits, including a CJ Hinojosa RBI single to even things up at 2-2. BOT 5 now #GoSKV
- Volcanoes Baseball (@SKVolcanoes) July 3, 2015
Salem-Keizer then took the lead 3-2 by capitalizing on more Boise mistakes. McClure committed his second error of the night by misplaying Fernando Pujadas' single, which allowed Jose Vizcaino Jr to advance to third. A fielder's choice to second base was all that was needed from Pena to then take the lead.
Volcanoes lead! S-K takes advantage of another Boise error and a Julio Pena groundout is good enough to score Vizcaino Jr. 3-2 BOT 6 #GoSKV
- Volcanoes Baseball (@SKVolcanoes) July 3, 2015
To the theme of Thursday night, the advantage was short-lived. Three straight Hawks' hits off of Connolly, including a two-RBI triple from Kevin Padlo, gave Boise a newfound 4-3 lead and chased the Volcanoes' starter out of the game.
Jarrett Leverett (0-1, 3.12) came on with two outs and a man on third in the sixth inning and induced a Joey Wong groundout to second base to escape the jam.
After a scoreless seventh inning, Chris Shaw sent one a long way over the right field wall to tie things at four apiece in the eighth. As soon as the Volcanoes had found themselves back in the game though, the Hawks made a timely response.
BANG! @SHAWESOME24 ties the game with a huge solo home run! 4-4 now as we go to the 8th #GoSKV
- Volcanoes Baseball (@SKVolcanoes) July 3, 2015
Leverett issued a one out single, walk, and then RBI double to Hamlet Marte that shot the Hawks out in front 5-4. A sacrifice fly from Mundell extended Boise's lead to 6-4.
Entering the ninth needing two runs, the leadoff man for the inning, John Riley, was plunked by Boise's closer Taylor Black. After a Rodriguez swinging strikeout, Jebavy collected his fourth single of the night to keep the line moving. Steven Duggar followed Hinojosa's fly out with an infield single to load the bases, and up stepped Chris Shaw.
In what seemed like a moment from the movies, all Shaw could muster up was a high chopper towards Wong at second base, and the ball game was over.
Boise climbs back into a tie for third pace in the Southern Division with the victory. Salem-Keizer's run of back and forth wins and losses extends to seven games dating back to last week's series with Spokane.
The rubber match of this three-game set takes place on Friday night at Memorial Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:35, Pacific Time.
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Northwest League Stories from July 3, 2015
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- Red, White & Bach Presented at PK Park - Eugene Emeralds
- Spectacular 4th of July Fireworks Show - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- No-Li Golden Ale Now Available at Avista Stadium - Spokane Indians
- Late Inning Runs Cost Dust Devils - Tri-City Dust Devils
- Canadians Fall 17-2 on "Dog Day of Summer" - Vancouver Canadians
- Boise Bests Volcanoes 6-4 to Even Series - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- Emeralds Spoil Hernandez's Spotless Start - Hillsboro Hops
- Hawks Hold On to Win Nail Biter - Boise Hawks
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