KEIZER, Ore. — Everett rallied back from a five-run deficit after the first inning to pull within a run in the third, but a dominant Salem-Keizer bullpen shut down the Frogs’ bats, helping the Volcanoes to an 8-7 victory.
Shortstop Shawn O’Malley got things rolling for Everett in the top of the first, doubling and scoring on a Logan Taylor sacrifice fly.
Sox left fielder Corey Simpson doubled and later scored on a throwing error by Salem-Keizer second baseman Christian Lichtenthaler to give Everett an early 2-0 lead.
Then it was Salem-Keizer’s turn.
The Volcanoes lit up Gillies for seven earned runs in the bottom of the first, scoring two on a Miguel Gomez double and three more on RBI singles by Fernando Pujadas and John Riley.
Everett skipper Rob Mummau sent in reliever Joe Pistorese to try and get the final out of the first, but an RBI single by Steven Duggar and a run that scored on a throwing error by O’Malley extended the Salem-Keizer lead to a healthy 7-2 margin after one inning.
Everett got two runs back, gift-wrapped, in the top of the second via a throwing error by Volcanoes starter Miguel Gomez and a balk.
Both plays allowed the runners to score from third base, making it 7-4 Volcanoes.
Salem-Keizer tacked on its eighth run in the bottom of the second on a Ronnie Jebavy leadoff homer to left field.
But Everett scored three runs in the top of the third on an RBI double by Erick Mejia, an RBI triple by Luis Liberato and an RBI single by P.J. Jones to pull to within a run at 8-7.
Then the Volcanoes dipped into their bullpen, calling upon four relievers to douse the Frogs’ heated bats.
Everett had chances with runners in scoring position in the fourth, fifth, sixth, eighth and ninth innings, stranding a total of eight men in the contest.
With a man on second and two outs in the top of the ninth, Salem-Keizer’s Caleb Smith got Liberato swinging to collect his fourth save of the year and defuse what could have been a game-tying situation for Everett.
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