Hops Put out Opening Day Fire
Published on June 18, 2016 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes News Release
Keizer, OR -- To kick off the 20th anniversary season of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, former Keizer Mayor Dennis Koho reenacted the 1997 unveiling of Volcanoes Stadium. After making a dramatic entrance in a helicopter, Koho, alongside Volcanoes owners Jerry and Lisa Walker, addressed the loyal Salem-Keizer fans with a few words to christen the start of the new season.
The Hillsboro Hops and the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes combine for a total of seven Northwest League since 2001. The Opening Day starting pitchers featured Anfernee Benitez for the Hops and Victor Concepcion for the Volcanoes.
The Volcanoes got off to a quick start in the first inning; leading off the game, shortstop Manuel Geraldo hit a rocket to the left field corner, which bounced off the warning track and ricocheted off the fence, resulting in an easy double. Geraldo advanced to third on a fielder's choice and later scored on a Benitez wild pitch.
It did not take long for the Hops to respond, scoring a swift three runs in the top of the second. After a pair of singles by first baseman Justin Chigbogu and catcher Alexis Olmeda, second baseman Jeff Smith hit a three-run home run that just sneaked over the right field wall.
The pace of the game then slowed down drastically as both pitchers began to lock in. Concepcion took the next three innings and made them his own, recording several strikeouts and giving up no earned runs. Concepcion's counterpart, Benitez, topped him with an outstanding outing with six strikeouts in a total of six innings, giving up just the one earned run.
In the top of the sixth, the wheels began to fall off for Concepcion after a barrage of line drives and fly balls plagued the outing. A loud two-run homer by designated hitter Luke Lowery to left center field nearly ended the night for the Volcanoes' pitcher, but Concepcion showed strong resilience in his finish to the inning. Concepcion ended the night with five earned runs in six innings pitched.
The Volcanoes showed fight later in the game as left fielder Gustavo Cabrera hit a towering fly ball that soared over the 350-foot sign out in left field. Salem-Keizer followed the home run with a couple of back-to-back singles by second baseman Kevin Rivera and Geraldo. A combination of two wild pitches and a fielder's choice led to two more runs for the Volcanoes in the seventh.
The Hops responded once more with a quick rally of their own. The Volcanoes put up another run on reliever Nolan Riggs, behind the bats of Lowery and Chibagu. This run left the score 6-4 going into the bottom of the eighth, leaving Salem- Keizer only six more outs to attempt to pull this one out.
The Volcanoes were unable to take advantage in the bottom of the eighth inning, going three up, three down. However, the bottom of the ninth created a new narrative, with a lead-off triple by center fielder Juan Rodriguez to give a much-needed spark to the club. Rodriguez was promptly driven in by Cabrera, after he ripped a sharp single into the right-center field gap. Unfortunately, the next three Volcanoes were unable to ride the wave and the rally was cut short.
Despite the loss, it was an eventful day at Volcanoes Stadium. The back-and-forth battle between the Hillsboro Hops and the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes brought a lot excitement to the loyal fans of this area. The Volcanoes look to respond as the series continues against the Hops on June 18th and 19th. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
Northwest League Stories from June 18, 2016
- Indians win over Canadians - Vancouver Canadians
- Tri-City Dust Devils Post-Game Fireworks Show Sold Out - Tri-City Dust Devils
- Hops Open 2016 with a Win - Hillsboro Hops
- Tri-City Dust Devils Win Season Opener - Tri-City Dust Devils
- Sellout Crowd on Hand as Indians Rally Falls Short in 5-3 Loss - Spokane Indians
- Hops Put out Opening Day Fire - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- Canadians Rally In 9th To Stun Indians In Season Opener - Vancouver Canadians
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
