Amion Leads the Way in Series Opener
Published on August 7, 2015 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes News Release
The Volcanoes edged out the Eugene Emeralds to escape with a 3-2 victory Thursday night at PK Park.
Eugene made things interesting in the ninth, placing runners at the corners with only one out, but the Volcanoes turned a thrilling double play to end the contest with the lead intact. Jose Vizcaino Jr. deflected a soft line drive off the bat of Blake Headley before Junior Amion snagged the ball, stepped on second and fired to first for the final out.
The close finish was nothing new to the "I-5 rivalry," as a single run has decided nine of the last 10 games between the two clubs at PK Park.
The Emeralds led early, breaking a scoreless tie in the third. Kevonte Mitchell doubled to lead off the frame before Donnie Dewees reached on an infield single, placing runners at the corners with nobody out. Frandy De La Rosa then rolled into a double play, scoring Mitchell and pushing Eugene out in front, 1-0.
Eugene starter Carson Sands danced around trouble through his first four innings of work before the Volcanoes scored a pair of runs to take the lead in the fifth. John Riley led off the inning with a single and advanced to second when Julio Pena grounded out. Amion then shot a single back up the middle, scoring Riley and knotting the game at one run apiece. The Volcanoes went on to load the bases with two outs in the frame before Miguel Gomez reached on an error, allowing Amion to score and put Salem-Keizer ahead, 2-1.
Volcanoes starter Mike Connolly (3-1, 3.31 ERA) fell victim to a dose of small ball in the sixth as Eugene scratched across a run to tie the game. De La Rosa singled to lead off the frame, stole second and advanced to third when Andrew Ely grounded out. Alberto Mineo then lifted a sacrifice fly to center, scoring De La Rosa and tying the game at 2-2.
The tie was only temporarily, as Salem-Keizer answered the next half inning. Vizcaino Jr. drew a walk with two outs in the inning and scored when Gomez laced a triple into center - his first three-bagger of the season.
Cory Taylor then tossed two scoreless innings before Caleb Smith benefited from some defensive theatrics in the ninth, recording his sixth save.
Connolly was solid in his six innings of work, allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out three as he picked up his third win of the season.
Player of the Game: Junior Amion went 3-for-4 on the night with a run scored, an RBI and the game-saving defensive play in the ninth.
Up Next: The Volcanoes continue their series with the Eugene Emeralds Friday night. Andrew Suarez (0-0, 1.74 ERA) will make the start for Salem-Keizer. Jose Paulio (1-4, 4.73 ERA) will start for Eugene. The broadcast will be available on volcanoesbaseball.com or through the TuneIn Radio app. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. from PK Park.
Northwest League Stories from August 7, 2015
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- Hops Clip Hawks 3-2 - Boise Hawks
- Left-Hander Tayler Saucedo Leads Câ??s To 5-1 Win - Vancouver Canadians
- AquaSox Fall in Back-And-Forth Game - Everett AquaSox
- Hops' Offense Backs Young's Debut - Hillsboro Hops
- Amion Leads the Way in Series Opener - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- Canadians Canâ??t Avoid Big Inning As Spokane Wins 4-1 - Vancouver Canadians
- Hops Bounce Hawks 8-4 - Boise Hawks
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