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NWL1 Eugene Emeralds

Emeralds Explode at the Plate to Split Series against Salem-Keizer

July 14, 2019 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Eugene Emeralds News Release


Continuing their scorching month of July offensively, the Eugene Emeralds (12-17) pounded their way to a 12-1 series-ending victory over the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (19-10) in front of 3,485 at Volcanoes Stadium.

Fernando Kelli set the tone in the very first inning off of Salem-Keizer starter Jesus Ozoria. Kelli drew a walk to lead off the game, stole second, then went to third on a passed ball. With one out, Chase Strumpf jumped on the first pitch of his at-bat, stroking a fly ball to centerfield that proved plenty deep enough for a sac fly, giving the Ems a 1-0 lead.

Josh Burgmann pitched well in his brief staff, just his second outing since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of the University of Washington. The right-hander tossed 2.0 innings while striking out one batter and allowing no runs.

After a Jacob Olson RBI double in the second inning increased the lead, the Ems piled on in the middle innings, beginning to put the game out of reach.

Following Nelson Maldonado's double to lead off the fourth inning, Jake Slaughter drove him home on a single to center field. After stealing second, he scored on a soft line drive to left field off the bat of Fernando Kelli.

Leading 4-1 going into the fifth, the middle of the Ems' batting order locked in against Volcanoes reliever Clay Helvey. Shase Strumpf, Zac Taylor, Nelson Maldonado, and Jake Slaughter each singled to start the inning, with the latter two resulting in RBIs. One more run would score in the inning on a double play with the bases loaded and no one out off the bat of Caleb Knight.

The Volcanoes couldn't seem to stay out of their own way, as a throwing error from third baseman Jeff Houghtby allowed Kelli to reach base to start the sixth. Immediately, on the very next pitch, Edmond Americaan laced a triple to deep left-center field, plating Kelli. Americaan would come home in the next at-bat thanks to another sac fly from Chase Strumpf.

The Ems added a trio of late runs in the eighth and ninth inning to punctuate a 12-1 blowout victory, their second win in three games.

Chase Strumpf went 3-for-3 with a double, including his two other sac flies. Jake Slaughter reached base in all six of his plate appearances, finishing with five hits, three RBIs, and two runs scored. Nelson Maldonado picked up two hits in his first pro start defensively at first base.

Relieving Josh Burgmann, Yunior Perez had a nice bounce-back effort, finishing up his 3.0 innings of work out of the bullpen with three strikeouts, just one walk surrendered and one run allowed. Brandon Hughes and Tanner Dalton each picked 2.0 scoreless innings to polish off the victory. In total, the Ems' pitching staff allowed just one run on five hits while facing the NWL's top offense.

Now the Emeralds head to Boise to begin a three-game series on Sunday. After traveling overnight to the Treasure Valley, they'll play the Hawks beginning at 4:15pm PST. Chris Clarke will get the start in the series opener, the fourth round pick of the Cubs out of USC. Be sure to listen live on 95.3FM The Score or on the TuneIn app.

Coming into Saturday's contest, the Eugene offense was hitting .305 during the month of July. Their 12-run, 18-hit outburst was the exclamation point on a four-game series, splitting two wins and two losses with the Volcanoes.

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Northwest League Stories from July 14, 2019


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