Hillsboro Stuns Volcanoes, Walks off in Opener
June 24, 2015 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes News Release
Chase Compton Slides in Safely for a Salem-Keizer Volcanoes' Run
(Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, Credit: Mason Shoultz)
HILLSBORO, Ore.- Hillsboro defeated the Volcanoes in walk-off fashion 5-4 Tuesday night, scoring two runs in the ninth at Ron Tonkin Field.
Eric Sim (0-1, 0.00 ERA) was handed a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning but was in trouble right away, allowing a leadoff double to Zach Nehrir. Dane McFarland then drew a walk, putting the winning run on base. Sim nearly escaped the jam, striking out Luis Veras and corralling a sharp groundout from Trevor Mitsui, but after hitting Jose Queliz, the bases were loaded for Nate Robertson. Catcher's interference was then called on Sim's next pitch, forcing in the tying run. Sim then walked Fernery Ozuna to push the winning run across the plate.
The loss spoiled a tremendous effort by the pitching staff, which had rebounded from a rough first inning to toss seven innings while only allowing one run. That effort was rendered moot with Sim's first blown save of his career.
The Volcanoes' offensive woes continued, going 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position and stranding 14 on the bases. That would come back to bite Salem-Keizer in the ninth.
Nick Gonzalez struggled initially in the ball game, laboring through a 25-pitch first inning in which he faced seven batters. Nehrir led off the inning with an infield single and quickly stole second. McFarland then ripped a double down the left field line that just barely landed in fair territory, scoring Nehrir. Queliz later poked a single into center that scored McFarland and put Hillsboro up 2-0.
The Volcanoes, meanwhile, had no trouble reaching base, loading the bases in five of the game's first six innings, but again struggled to drive runners in.
Salem-Keizer instead had to scratch runs across the plate - the first two coming in the third. Junior Amion led off the inning with a single and advanced to second when Chase Compton walked. Fernando Pujadas then dropped a single into center, setting the stage for John Riley. The Volcanoes' first baseman grounded out but scored Amion in the process, cutting the deficit in half. Miguel Gomez then lifted a sacrifice fly to center that scored a sliding Compton and tied the game at 2-2.
That's two for the Volcanoes! Salem-Keizer ties the score on an RBI groundout and a sac fly.
- Volcanoes Baseball (@SKVolcanoes) June 24, 2015
The Volcanoes were back at it in the fourth as they again loaded the bases with nobody out. Shilo McCall and Richard Rodriguez led off the inning with back-to-back singles and Brennan Metzger walked, loading the bases for Amion. It then appeared as if Hops' starter Tyler Bolton had gifted Salem-Keizer a run, skipping a wild pitch by his catcher and all the way to the screen. Fortune smiled upon the Hops, however, as the ball bounced right back to the Hops' backstop and McCall was gunned down at the plate. Amion managed to at least salvage the inning for the Volcanoes, grounding out to third to score Rodriguez and give Salem-Keizer a 3-2 lead.
Gonzalez settled down following his rough start, scattering three hits throughout the rest of his outing. The left-hander struck out five in his five innings of work.
Salem-Keizer added an insurance run in the sixth courtesy of a throwing error by reliever Lawrence Prado. With two runners already on base, Amion pushed a bunt towards Prado and took off for first. Prado then airmailed a throw to first, allowing a run to scamper home and extend the Volcanoes' advantage. Salem-Keizer wanted more, loading the bases yet again with nobody out, but Prado retired three consecutive batters to negate the threat. Salem-Keizer went a collective 0-for-10 with the bases loaded on the evening.Â
Volcanoes leave the bases loaded to end the top of the sixth, Salem-Keizer has left 12 on base in the game. Volcanoes lead 4-2.
- Volcanoes Baseball (@SKVolcanoes) June 24, 2015
The Hops inched closer in the eighth. Volcanoes reliever Jarret Leverett retired two quick outs before serving up a single to Ozuna. Sergio Alcantara then ripped a double into left, scoring the speedy Ozuna and pulling Hillsboro within a run. Leverett avoided disaster, however, as Raymel Flores lined out to end the frame.
Hillsboro then tallied two runs in the ninth to win its home opener. Hernandez (1-0, 4.50), who pitched a scoreless top of the ninth for Hillsboro, picked up his first win of the season.
Player of the Game: Junior Amion went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. The speedy second baseman was slick in the field and at the plate for Salem-Keizer reaching base three times.
Up Next: The Volcanoes continue their series at Hillsboro tomorrow. Logan Webb (0-0, 3.60 ERA) will start for Salem-Keizer. The broadcast will be available on volcanoesbaseball.com or through the TuneIn Radio app. First pitch is set for 7:05.
Images from this story
 Chase Compton Slides in Safely for a Salem-Keizer Volcanoes' Run (Mason Shoultz) |
Northwest League Stories from June 24, 2015
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- Oh, Zuna Walk-Off Walk Wins It for Hops - Hillsboro Hops
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