Volcanoes take opener in NWL playoffs
September 8, 2015 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes News Release
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes Pitcher
(Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, Credit: Mike Connolly)
KEIZER, Ore. -- Quality pitching and six hits pushed the Volcanoes to a 4-2 win over the Hillsboro Hops at Volcanoes Stadium in the first game of the Northwest League South Division playoffs on Monday night.
Mike Connolly led the charge, scattering nine hits and a walk over six innings, allowing only two earned runs in while striking out five. The relief duo of Caleb Smith and Ryan Halstead did not allow a base runner through the final three frames, ushering the Volcanoes to victory.
The Hops broke a 1-1 tie with a run in the top of the fourth inning courtesy of a Gerard Hernandez sacrifice fly that scored Luis Veras, who singled to lead off the frame. That would be the last time that Hillsboro had the lead.
The Volcanoes answered the next half inning with a well put together text book bottom of the fourth, as Chris Shaw and Jose Vizcaino Jr. both singled to lead off the frame. Newly-acquired outfielder Byron Murray then sliced a single down the third base line to score Shaw, tying the game at 2-2. On the next pitch, Fernando Pujadas laid down a safety squeeze bunt to give Vizcaino time to come home, giving the Volcanoes a 3-2 lead going into the sixth.
Steven Duggar drew a walk in the bottom of the fifth and advanced to third when Chris Shaw drilled a line drive single through the infield and into center field. Duggar took advantage of a wild pitch by starter Cody Reed, and the speedy lefty tore down the third baseline to tack on a Volcanoes insurance run.
Player of the game: Mike Connolly was nothing short of a work horse for Salem-Keizer, tossing six innings while striking out five and only allowing two runs in the win.
Up next: Salem-Keizer heads to Hillsboro tomorrow to take on the Hops in the second game of the Northwest League South division playoffs. Grant Watson and Northwest League Pitcher of the Year Carlos Hernandez will face off.
Images from this story
 Salem-Keizer Volcanoes Pitcher (Mike Connolly) |
Northwest League Stories from September 8, 2015
- 7:05 PM: Hops Host Game 2 of South Division Series - Hillsboro Hops
- Shaw Named NWL Player of the Week - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- Dust Devils Home Tonight for Game 2 - Tri-City Dust Devils
- Volcanoes take opener in NWL playoffs - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- Dust Devils Outlast AquaSox in 16 Innings - Everett AquaSox
- Hops Stumble to 4-2 Loss in Playoff Opener - Hillsboro Hops
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