Mail Tribune Sports - T'jacks cling to first place

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T'jacks cling to first place Salem-Keizer staked starting pitcher Jerome Williams to a 4-0 lead in the first inning and the hurler did the rest in handcuffing Southern Oregon for an 8-0 shutout in the first game of a doubleheader at Miles Field. Southern Oregon took a 3-2 lead into the fifth inning of the nightcap before Salem-Keizer rallied for a 6-5 lead. The two teams were tied 7-all in the bottom of the eighth inning as of press time. Despite the opening-game loss, the Timberjacks maintained their Southern Division lead over Portland. The Rockies dropped a 12-1 affair to Eugene on Wednesday, and remain two games behind the TJs. Williams struck out nine Timberjacks and allowed only three hits in the seven-inning affair to post his first win of the season. Southern Oregon starter Nate Hilton (1-4) hindered his cause early with a walk and an error against the game's first two batters. Shawn McGowan followed with an RBI double to right field. After a walk to Carlos Valderrama, Hilton hit Jeremy Lester to force in another run. Ryan Pene and Guillermo Rodriguez each added RBI groundouts for an early 4-0 lead. The Volcanoes erupted for four more runs in the third off Hilton as McGowan and Jeremy Lester each singled and Pene walked to load the bases. Rodriguez promptly belted a Hilton offering over the fence for a grand slam. Southern Oregon couldn't muster any offense off Williams, with Mike Lockwood, Matt Howe and Matt Forbes supplying the Timberjacks' only hits. The Timberjacks and Volcanoes play the third game of their four-game series tonight at 7. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune   Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.