Volcanoes Shut out by Hops in Series Opener
June 29, 2016 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes News Release
HILLSBORO, Oregon - The Volcanoes made the hour-long trip up to Hillsboro to face the Hops for the second series of the year between the two clubs. Salem-Keizer was looking to bounce back from its first series loss of the season after losing Game 5 to the Tri-City Dust Devils on Sunday evening.
The Volcanoes welcomed two new additions to the team in the series opener in Hillsboro, as Gio Brusa and Greg Brody joined the team. Brusa, an outfielder drafted out of University of the Pacific in the 6th round joined Salem-Keizer after hitting .337 for Pacific. Brusa declined an offer from the Boston Red Sox, after getting drafted in the 5th round out of high school, in order to pursue a college degree. Brody, an 11th round draft pick out of Belmont, lead the Bruins team with a 1.57 ERA in 22 appearances.
Entering the series in Hillsboro, three Volcanoes sat atop the league batting leaders list with Jean Angomas (.424), Ashford Fulmer (.393), and Kevin Rivera (.390). Salem-Keizer also led the league in team batting average before first pitch with a team average of .295 and 114 hits.
Salem-Keizer and Hillsboro met for the first time on June 17, a game in which the Hops were able to secure a 6-5 win on opening night. The Volcanoes battled back and won the next two games, winning by scores of 14-3 and 11-2 to take the series from the two-time defending league champions.
The offense was quieted on Tuesday night, however, as Salem-Keizer did not score all game for the first time this season. The Hops put six runs on the board to win 6-0.
Volcanoes starter Hengerber Medina started the first inning very strong but fell into a hole in the second, throwing six straight balls to begin the second inning. Medina then got the next three batters out via two strikeouts and a foul ball pop out to end the inning with no damage done by the Hops.
Salem-Keizer attempted to get offense going after getting two straight singles to lead off the fifth inning from designated hitter Leo Rojas and first baseman Ryan Kirby. However, the Volcanoes left both base runners on as the next three batters were retired.
Hillsboro got two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning after two straight singles to lead off the inning. A one-out single by Hops center fielder Jason Morozowski scored the Hops first run, and a wild pitch from Medina scored the second run. Medina finished the evening after 5.0 innings, four strikeouts and five hits in the game.
Matt Pope then came on in relief for the Volcanoes in the sixth. Pope allowed a ground rule double and a single to put runners on the corners in the sixth. A single by left fielder Matt Railey scored both runners after second baseman Manny Jefferson had stolen second base. The Hops went on to add two more runs in the seventh inning on three hits in the frame.
The Volcanoes were only able to get four hits in the contest. Catcher Zack Bowers reached on a double in the second inning, Rojas and Kirby added two singles in the fifth and Fulmer lead off the eighth with a single. The Hops pitching staff pitched well all night, not allowing the Volcanoes to string hits together.
Salem-Keizer and Hillsboro are in action again on Wednesday night in Hillsboro with a 7:05 p.m. start. Raffi Vizcaino is scheduled to start the game against Hops' pitcher Jeferson Mejia.
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Northwest League Stories from June 29, 2016
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- Volcanoes Shut out by Hops in Series Opener - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
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