Early Salem-Keizer runs carry them past Spokane 4-2

KEIZER - The Volcanoes' bats got going early Monday night, scoring four runs in the first three innings. Although the offense did not continue into the later stages of the game, Salem-Keizer had ample pitching to withstand the Indians through nine innings to claim the victory in game one.

Spokane got on the board first, using an RBI single courtesy of Royce Bolinger to drive in the game's first tally.

Salem-Keizer began marking up the scorecard in the home-half of the second. Chuckie Jones led off the frame with a double, allowing Stephen Branca to drive in Chuckie with an RBI single. With the bases loaded later in the inning, Matt Duffy knocked in two runs on a single of his own to give the Volcanoes the 3-1 lead. Chuckie Jones furthered the lead in the bottom of the third inning by hitting his fourth home run of the season.

Both teams had several chances to score as the game moved along, but these opportunities were often victims of rally-ending double plays or frustrating pop outs.

Joan Gregorio (5-5, 5.68) started and got the win for the Volcanoes after allowing just one run in his five innings of work. Steven Okert pitched two one-hit, scoreless innings; Keith Bilodeau threw just under two innings while allowing one run; and Stephen Johnson earned his first save while pitching the final out.

Indians' starter John Kukuruda (2-2, 4.03) was on the losing end of things after giving up eight hits and four earned runs in his four innings of work.

Three Volcanoes had two-hit days including Stephen Branca, Chuckie Jones, and Matt Duffy. Duffy also led the squad with two RBIs. Royce Bolinger led Spokane with three hits and an RBI. The Volcanoes edged Spokane 10-9 in the hits column.

With the victory, Salem-Keizer (19-32, 6-7) has won games on consecutive days for the first time since July 2nd when they knocked off Vancouver in back-to-back days en route to a series win. The win also moves the Volcanoes out of a tie for third, and into sole possession of the third place spot in the Northwest League West Division, just a half a game out of second. Spokane (18-33, 6-7) does remain in second place in the East, but they fall a full three games out of first. The Volcanoes will continue their quest for back-to-back series wins when the two clubs reconvene at Volcanoes Stadium on Tuesday, with a scheduled first pitch of 6:35p.m. Joe Biagini (0-4, 4.19) will take the baseball for Salem-Keizer while C.J. Edwards (1-0, 1.13) will do the same for Spokane.