Nickeas powers Spokane past Salem-Keizer

KEIZER, Ore. — In the end, it was Michael Nickeas 7, Salem-Keizer 5.

Nickeas, the Indians catcher, spear-headed a power surge, going 3 for 6, with a homer, 7 RBIs and three runs scored as Spokane beat the Volcanoes 14-5 in Northwest League action Wednesday.

The Indians finished with four home runs on the night, helping to erase an early 4-1 deficit and make a winner out of starter Shawn Phillips (4-1). Phillips threw five innings, allowing seven hits, three earned runs and striking out one.

Trailing 4-1 entering the fourth, Jim Fasano led off the inning with a home run before the Indians got one more to make it 4-3.

Kevin Mahar had a solo homer to highlight Spokane’s 3-run fifth. Then, with a 6-4 lead, Nickeas, whose RBI tally was the second highest of the season for the Indians, hit a three-run shot to left in the four-run sixth to put the game out of reach.

Spokane tacked on four more in the eighth led by Ben Harrison’s two-run homer. Harrison finished 3 for 5 with 3 RBIs and was a triple short of the cycle.

The win moved the Indians to within 1 1/2 games of first-place Boise in the NWL’s East division. Boise’s game Wednesday was postponed.

Spokane is in Salem again tonight for the fourth game in the five-game series. Scheduled starters are right-hander Eric Hurley (0-1 with a 4.84 ERA) for Spokane and Darren Sack (2-4, 5.85).

First pitch is 6:35.