Salem-Keizer Clinches Series with 4-2 Win
Published on July 12, 2015 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes News Release
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes Pitcher Drew Leenhouts
(Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
Whether it has been the 43 combined hits or the fantastic starting pitching performances, Kyle Haines is a happy man after his first-year squad jumped out to another series win through just the first three games against the Canadians (8-16).
Similar to the last five-game set at home against the Tri-City Dust Devils, the Volcanoes (13-11) sprinted out to a 3-0 advantage against their Northern division rivals.
Saturday's night contest was not quite the blowouts provided in the first two games of the series, but it did feature another solid outing from a Volcano starter. Drew Leenhouts (4-1, 1.57) went five strong innings, allowing just three hits, including a strikeout and two unearned runs.
Both of Vancouver's scoring opportunities came from one-out singles that turned into runs due to Salem-Keizer errors. Jose Vizcaino Jr. committed the first error in the fourth inning on a errant throw to first, and the other occurred from a fifth inning Steven Duggar throwing error.
The miscues would not come back to haunt the Volcanoes as the offense found its' grove early once again. Back to back singles off the bats of Junior Amion and Ronnie Jebavy, followed by a Steven Duggar walk, loaded the bases to begin the frame. Miguel Gomez was able to drive one run in off of a sac fly to left field before a Chris Shaw double play ended the threat.Â
The offense picked up though the very next inning as a Vizcaino Jr. triple started the Volcanoes' fourth on the front foot. Vizcaino Jr. has now batted 11-20 over his last five games. After a Chase Compton walk, Shilo McCall drove in the second run of the game via a sac fly, which was swiftly followed by the game's second triple, this time an RBI effort from Amion. Jebavy would follow suit with an RBI single himself to push the lead to 4-0.
Although the two Salem-Keizer errors led to a couple of Vancouver runs, the combined efforts of Cory Taylor, who didn't allow a hit through three scoreless innings, and Ryan Halstead, who notched his third save in as many opportunities, gave the Volcanoes a series clinching victory.
Salem-Keizer improves to two games above .500 for the first time since jumping out to a 3-1 start to the season in the first matchup between these two teams. The victory moves them just a game back of both Eugene and Hillsboro in first place. Vancouver's seventh consecutive defeat drags them even deeper into fourth place in the Northern division, where they trail Everett by seven games.
Game four will bring back a return of day baseball for the second time this series as first pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.
Images from this story
 Salem-Keizer Volcanoes Pitcher Drew Leenhouts |
Northwest League Stories from July 12, 2015
- Late Inning Offense Propels Volcanoes to 10-5 Win - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- Volcanoes Erupt Late To Hand Câ??s Eighth Straight Loss - Vancouver Canadians
- First Place Hops Look for Fourth Straight Win on National Television - Hillsboro Hops
- Dust Devils Defeat Emeralds Despite Being Out-Hit - Tri-City Dust Devils
- Salem-Keizer Clinches Series with 4-2 Win - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- Canadians Drop 7th Straight; Fall 4-2 To Volcanoes - Vancouver Canadians
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