Salem-Keizer Volcaones Rock Eugene, 9-1

The Volcanoes improved to 5-1 in second half play, continuing to pace the Northwest League South Division.

Ethan Miller tossed eight complete innings in the longest start of his professional career. Photo Courtesy: David Barker Salem-Keizer Volcanoes

(KEIZER, Ore. ) - The Volcanoes didn't take batting practice prior to Sunday evening's game versus Eugene, but they definitely got their swings in en route to a 9-1 blowout victory in the series opener.

Salem-Keizer recorded a season-high hit total of 17 including at least one hit from everyone in the lineup and five multi-hit efforts.

One of the multi-hit performances came from newcomer Austin Slater - the Giants 2014 8th Rounder - who tallied three hits, two RBIs, and a stolen base in his Volcanoes debut.

Skyler Ewing was also smacking the ball all over the park, finishing with four hits including a pair of doubles. Seth Harrison finished the night with two hits - one a triple - and three RBIs in his best game as a Volcano.

Much like the Salem-Keizer offense put their best offensive display of the season together, starter Ethan Miller was at his best in the win.

Miller tossed a career-high eight innings of one-run baseball, scattering five hits while striking out five. The right-hander had not gone longer than 6.0 innings in his two-year career.

Miller's one trouble spot came in the top of the second inning, when he allowed a solo home run to Yale Rosen, as Eugene jumped out to a 1-0 lead.

Salem-Keizer did not allow the Emeralds' lead to stand for long knotting the score in the home-half of the second. Skyler Ewing led off the frame with a double and came into score on an RBI ground out by Will Callaway.

Eugene starter Zech Lemond exited with a 1-1 tie intact after four complete innings. The Volcanoes had a field day with the Emeralds' bullpen, scoring eight runs in the fifth through eighth innings.

Harrison knocked in Tyler Hollick on an RBI single to put the Volcanoes in front 2-1 in the fifth.

In the sixth inning, Callaway smashed a two-run homer to left-center field to extend Salem-Keizer's lead to 4-1. The Volcanoes did not stop there, as Harrison plated two runs on his second career triple - first as a member of Salem-Keizer.

Insurance runs were added in the seventh on an RBI single by Slater and in the eighth off of another RBI single by Slater and a wild pitch.

The Volcanoes improved to 5-1 in second half play, continuing to pace the Northwest League South Division and the Northwest League as a whole.

Up Next: Salem-Keizer sends Jason Forjet (3-0, 3.63) to the mound against Walker Weickel (0-0, 0.00) in the middle game of the three-game divisional series. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. on Kid's Night at Volcanoes Stadium.

Source: Salem-Keizer Volcanoes