Volcanoes Rally to Top Hops, 7-6

"Any time you're playing your division you always want to beat them, especially with [Hillsboro] being four games up on us," manager Gary Davenport said.

(KEIZER, Ore. ) - The last time Salem-Keizer matched up against Hillsboro in a three-game series, it was left still searching for a series win. The Volcanoes won the opener 8-6 at Ron Tonkin Field on June 18, but dropped the final two games on consecutive nights.

Now, after winning the series opener last night 5-1, the Volcanoes needed every bit of their nine innings in Saturday's game to obtain that ever illusive series victory.

T Relaford delivered a game winning single in the bottom of the ninth, erasing a six-run blown lead for the Volcanoes, as Salem-Keizer survived the 7-6 win.

"Any time you're playing your division you always want to beat them, especially with [Hillsboro] being four games up on us," manager Gary Davenport said. "Losing to the other division is one thing, but when you're playing in your own division, you have to do well."

Tyler Hollick reached on a fielding error by shortstop Justin Gonzalez and moved to second on a single by Christian Arroyo. Hollick crossed the plate just two batters later, when Skyler Ewing grounded into a fielder's choice in his first at bat with Salem-Keizer.

After tacking on an unearned run in the second inning, the Volcanoes' produced three consecutive hits to begin the third inning. Hollick hit an infield single to third and advanced to second on a line drive single by Arroyo.

Will Callaway drove in Salem-Keizer's third run of the game, lacing an RBI single to left field.

It was a newcomer who helped distance the Volcanoes in the bottom of the fifth. Arroyo led off the inning with his third hit of the night, and Will Callaway followed with a double to set the table for Ewing.

With two runners on and nobody out, Ewing launched a fastball over the left field wall for the 6-0 lead. It was his first career hit with the Volcanoes.

"It was a good feeling. The scouting report was a sinker, slider type of guy, and there were two guys on and I was just trying to drive the ball and score some runs," Ewing said. "My first reaction was that it was going to hit off the wall so I tried to get out of the box and at least get on second. It ended up carrying and getting out of here. It gave [Nick Gonzalez] a little bit of a lead to work with, so that's a good thing."

A big two out rally in the top half of the sixth brought Hillsboro to within three runs. With two outs and a runner on first, Gonzalez issued a two out walk to Jake Mayers.

That opened the floodgates, as Grant Heyman hit an RBI single and George Roberts brought two more home with a double to make it 6-3.

Hillsboro wasn't done yet, scoring another run in the top of the seventh. Kirk Singer issued a leadoff walk and an infield single to start the frame.

A big double play ground ball gave the Volcanoes a chance to escape the inning unscathed, but a single by Elvin Soto scored Yorman Garcia for the Hops' fourth run.

Hillsboro was unable to score in the eighth, and the series win appeared to be all but secured as Salem-Keizer was one out away from a 6-4 victory.

But a two-out walk to Bennie Robinson opened the door for two consecutive hits, as the Hops tied the game at six.

The Volcanoes wasted little time in sealing up the game. Callaway led off the inning with his second double of the night to dead center field and advanced to third on a wild pitch.

With runners on second and third and nobody out after a walk to Ewing, Relaford delivered the knockout punch with a single just inside the right field foul line.

"I tried to keep it as simple as possible and just see the ball up and a ball I could hit in the air because a sacrifice fly wins the game in that situation," Relaford said. "I wasn't trying to do too much, just trying to hit an elevated pitch and hopefully we would win the game."

Callaway, who scored the winning run for Salem-Keizer, finished the night 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles. In the past three games, Callaway is 7-for-13 with five doubles.

"He's a super kid and works hard. He gets the job done and is a tough kid mentally," Davenport said.

Up next: The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes will go for their first series sweep of the 2014 season, when they match up against Hillsboro for the third and final game of this series at Volcanoes Stadium. Ethan Miller will stand atop the mound for Salem-Keizer. He is 1-1 with a 7.79 ERA in four starts this season.

Sunday also wraps up the seventh annual Patriotic Tribute at Volcanoes Stadium featuring Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America Appreciation Night. First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m. Gates open at 4:00 p.m.