Volcanoes Come up Short Despite Debuts
Published on June 26, 2015 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes News Release
HILLSBORO, Ore. - The Hops rode a four-run third inning to a series sweep Thursday night, defeating Salem-Keizer 4-1 at Ron Tonkin Field.
The Volcanoes added four new players - three of which were selected in the 2015 Draft - before the game. The highest-drafted of the group, Ronnie Jebavy, had a debut to remember.
Jebavy, a fifth-round selection in the 2015 Draft, made a run-saving, diving catch in the first inning and blasted a solo home run in only his second at-bat in the third. The homer hooked just around the left field foul pole and temporarily put the Volcanoes out in front. Jebavy finished the night 1-for-4.
What's new? Thata boy Ronnie! https://t.co/Oiy4csZ7Bp
- Nate Hoffmann (@N8Hoffmann) June 26, 2015
The lead was short-lived, however, as Hillsboro came roaring back. Volcanoes starter Nate Santiago (0-1, 5.40 ERA) worked around base runners through the game's first two innings but ran into trouble in the third. The Hops sent nine batters to the plate and plated four runs, chasing Santiago from the game. The backbreaking hit came when Nate Robertson, already with the Hops up 2-1, lined a two-out double into the left-center field gap that scored two more runs and put Hillsboro up 4-1.
Meanwhile, the Volcanoes' offensive struggles continued. Aside from Jebavy's home run, Salem-Keizer's offense couldn't solve Hops' starter Cody Reed (1-0, 0.90 ERA). The 2014 second-round pick allowed only the one run in six innings of work while striking out eight.
Nolan Riggs pitched admirably in relief for Salem-Keizer, tossing five scoreless innings while allowing only one base runner. The right-hander retired the last 14 batters that he faced.
C.J. Hinojosa, also making his professional debut, collected the first hit of his career in the sixth. The former University of Texas Longhorn was an 11th-round pick in the 2015 Draft.
Player of the Game: Jebavy, who arrived in Oregon only this morning, surely won't forget tonight. The 21-year-old pounded the first home run of his professional career in only his second at-bat.
Up Next: The Volcanoes return home to begin a five-game series with the Spokane Indians. Drew Leenhouts (1-0, 1.29 ERA) will start for Salem-Keizer. The Volcanoes have their work cut out for them, as the fourth-overall selection in the 2015 Draft, Dillon Tate, will make the first professional start of his career for Spokane. First pitch is set for 6:35.
Northwest League Stories from June 26, 2015
- Emeralds Win Third Straight, Take Series Opener with Tri-City - Eugene Emeralds
- No. 4 Overall Pick Dillon Tate Debuts Tonight - Spokane Indians
- Salem-Keizer Loses Metzger, Adds Seven New Players - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- Flashback Friday at PK Park - Eugene Emeralds
- 4th of July Pennant Run Is One Week Away - Spokane Indians
- Dust Devils Win Series in Front of Sellout Crowd - Tri-City Dust Devils
- Clark Plays Role of Superman in Defeat - Spokane Indians
- Reed Shines as Hops Secure Sweep - Hillsboro Hops
- C's Learn "It's not how you Start, but how you Finish" - Vancouver Canadians
- Hawks Offense Sputters as Emeralds Take Series - Boise Hawks
- Volcanoes Come up Short Despite Debuts - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- Ems Defeat Boise, 3-1, Claim Series - Eugene Emeralds
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