BOLDEN LEADS SPOKANE INDIANS TO NORTHWEST LEAGUE TITLE
Former Ram earns start in left field in all four contests

Winning was synonymous with the name Jared Bolden throughout his three-year tenure with the Virginia Commonwealth University baseball program. He aided the Rams to two straight appearances in the CAA Championship game (2006, 2007), captured the title in 2007 and made an appearance in the NCAA Myrtle Beach Regional.

Bolden continued his winning ways at the next level as he was a vital part of the Spokane Indians’ run to the 2008 Northwest League Championship, a title they claimed with defeat of two-time defending champion Salem-Keizer in a five-game series.

The Lynchburg, Va., native earned a starting spot in all four contests, leading off each game and playing left field for the Indians.

“It’s a surreal feeling really,” Bolden said. “To be in my first season as a pro and accomplish this feat, it’s something some players never get to feel at any level.”

It seemed like Salem-Keizer was up to its old tricks after game one as the Volcanoes stifled the potent Spokane offense in a 5-3 victory.

Game two started the same way as the Volcanoes held a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third, but Bolden’s single started an Indians rally that ended with two runs scored and the Salem-Keizer lead cut to 3-2. He struck again in the sixth as his RBI double capped off a four-run inning that aided the Indians to an 11-10 victory that evened the series at one game apiece.

After five innings of game three, Salem-Keizer had cruised out to a 10-2 advantage over the visiting Indians. Eight runs, one of which was scored by Bolden, over the next three frames evened game at 10-10. The former Ram singled to lead off the top of the ninth and came around to score on a single by Doug Hogan to cap off the furious comeback and give Spokane a 2-1 series lead.

Bolden’s two hits and RBI helped the Indians to a thrilling 11-10 victory in game four of the series and the 2008 Northwest League Championship, a title they had not held since 2005.

The former Ram finished the championship series with five hits, including a double and a triple. He also tallied three runs scored and five RBIs, while playing a stellar left field.

Bolden and his Indians teammates were greeted by thousands of their fans at Avista Stadium in Spokane on Monday morning.

“The fans out here have been incredible,” Bolden said. “Monday was just another example of their dedication to the team, it was something I’ll never forget.”