Volcanoes Capitalize on OCBL All-Star Errors

KEIZER, Ore. - In the prelude to the squad's 2017 opener Thursday, the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes triumphed over the Oregon Collegiate Baseball League All-Star team 6-0 in a preseason exhibition game at Volcanoes Stadium.
The OCBL All-Star team, comprised of some of the top collegiate ballplayers in the state, such as Oregon State University, Corban University, Chemeketa Community College and Western Oregon University experienced professional baseball against the Volcanoes on a beautiful spring evening.  
The contest remained scoreless through the first frame until the Volcanoes erupted for five runs in the bottom of the second inning thanks to a handful of miscues by the OCBL defense.
Shortstop Manuel Geraldo was plunked to lead off the inning by OCBL starting pitcher Alex Emerson and eventually swiped second base. Rightfielder Juan Rodriguez reached base via a throwing error by OCBL third baseman Jackson Soto, scoring Geraldo for the Volcanoes' first run of the evening.
Next up to the dish was designated hitter Gustavo Cabrera, who promptly roped a double into the left-centerfield gap, driving in Rodriguez from third base to extend the Volcanoes' lead to 2-0. Cabrera would ultimately steal third base and score on a throwing error by OCBL catcher Jacob Kopra to make it a 3-0 advantage.
Following Cabrera was third baseman Byron Murray, who walked and took second on another error by Soto during centerfielder Malique Ziegler's at bat. With two runners on base and still no outs in the inning, second baseman Kevin Rivera continued the merry-go-round of offense by knocking in both of his teammates with a two-run single to increase the lead to 5-0. 
Emerson and his team eventually escaped the inning without further damage, but not after the southpaw was rocked for five unearned runs in the frame.
After a 1-2-3 top of the third inning by Volcanoes' starting hurler Alejandro De La Rosa, Emerson returned to the bump and found himself in hot waters once again.
Rodriguez led off the inning with a booming triple, and eventually scored the sixth run of the ballgame on a sacrifice fly off of the bat of Cabrera. 
Emerson recorded the final two outs of the inning, which would be his last. He earned the loss on the evening, pitching three innings and allowing six runs - one earned - on four hits.
Meanwhile the Volcanoes pitching staff continued to cruise the rest of the way. The starter for the Volcanoes, Alejandro De La Rosa, collected the victory for Salem-Keizer. The righty faced minimal pressure through the four innings he pitched, allowing the only three hits the College All-Stars could muster.
The only trouble De La Rosa encountered was during the top of the third inning with runners on second and third, but he ultimately escaped the jam by inducing a ground ball to first base.
Relief men Vic Black, Hengerber Medina and Luis Pino locked up the victory for the Volcanoes with each tossing scoreless innings. 
The Volcanoes will toe the turf on Thursday for Opening Night at Volcanoes Stadium against the Tri-City DustDevils with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m PST.