Volcanoes edge closer to postseason with win

 

In an amazing turn of events over the last two days, two Eugene losses and Salem-Keizer's two victories mean the Volcanoes have reclaimed positioning in the Southern Division playoff race. On Saturday night at Memorial Stadium, the Volcanoes escaped with a close, 2-1 victory over the Hawks to set up a very exciting regular season finale on Sunday.

Chris Shaw kept the lights lit on his recent power surge, leading off the second inning with his league-leading 12th home run of the season, his third in five days.

 

Chris Shaw does it again! and again, and again... @SHAWESOME24 goes yard for the 12th time this season to give S-K a 1-0 lead! #GoSKV

- Volcanoes Baseball (@SKVolcanoes) September 6, 2015

 

That gave Drew Leenhouts an early 1-0 lead as he cruised through his 14th start of the season. The left-hander rarely looked in danger of giving up the lead as he completed six scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out three Hawks.

Leenhouts would miss out on his league-leading eighth victory of the season, however, as Boise tied the game in the seventh off of reliever Cory Taylor (2-0, 2.45). Wesley Jones led off the frame with a walk, stole second base, and was driven home on a bloop RBI single by Steven Leonard.

Salem-Keizer quickly reclaimed the lead in the eighth with some two-out magic off of reliever Drasen Johnson (2-4, 2.37). With two men already retired in the inning, Scott Price then drew a full count walk. Ronnie Jebavy then laid down a bunt single before Steven Duggar came through in the clutch with a broken-bat single into center field, scoring Price and giving the Volcanoes a 2-1 lead.

 

Steven Duggar comes through big time! @SDugg_9 with an RBI base hit to reclaim the Volcanoes' lead. 2-1 as we go to the BOT 8 #GoSKV

- Volcanoes Baseball (@SKVolcanoes) September 6, 2015

 

Ryan Halstead nailed down his eighth save of the season with a perfect ninth inning, giving the Volcanoes a series win over Boise.

Any combination of a Volcanoes victory on Sunday or a Eugene loss to Hillsboro will result in Salem-Keizer participating in the 2015 Northwest League postseason. First pitch on Sunday is set for 5:45 p.m. PT with the Volcanoes Live Pregame Show going on air at 5:15.