Go BCC Blue Jays!: Intensity Rises

Sunny skies greeted the Blue Jays and the Cardinals at Avenel Park Saturday, September 20, for the make-up of the scheduled season opener.

Unfortunately, the Blue Jays' bats were mostly quiet on this day.

The final score was Cardinals 7, Blue Jays 5.

September 20 Game Report

Andre Schnider turned in a fabulous pitching performance, allowing no runs on three hits and one walk in two innings of work. Andre gave his fielders a much needed break, striking out three batters in the third and three more in the fourth. For the season, he's recorded nine Ks in four innings of work. Andre contributed offensively with an RBI single in the bottom of the first.

Sam Berman continued to shine in all facets of the game. Offensively, he blasted a triple to right center in the third, reached on a fielder's choice in the first, and walked in the sixth. He scored two of the team's five runs and drove in another. On the mound, Sam allowed two runs on just one hit in two innings, striking out five and walking three. He assisted on a put-out from the shortstop position in the top of the first.

Cole Hughes reached new levels of power and efficiency on the mound. He cruised through the first inning, allowing no runs on just one hit and no walks and recorded two strikeouts. Cole opened some eyes and earned more time on the mound as the season continues. Defensively, he put in excellent work at catcher. At the plate, Cole put the bat on the ball in the top of the sixth, only to watch it land in the 2nd baseman's glove.

Eli Kroskin made his career pitching debut in the top of the second inning. He did his job, throwing strikes, walking just two batters, and relying on his defense to make plays. The mound can be a lonely place when things don't go your way, but Eli relentlessly put the ball over the plate and battled. Offensively, he kept the line moving with a walk in the bottom of the fifth.

Gavin Ferguson's bat came to life in the top of the fifth. His single to right field was notable because it was one of just six hits collected by the Blue Jays. Defensively, Gavin played well at 2nd base and in the outfield.

Will Dash put together a productive at-bat in the bottom of the first inning. His ground ball single through the 5.5 hole drove in a run and gave the Blue Jays an early 2-0 lead. The defensive plan called for Will to come out from behind the plate and spend some time at 2nd base. He handled his infield duties admirably.

Xander Yu made an excellent play in the field. Handing the shortstop position in the top of the sixth, Xander fielded a grounder and delivered a perfect throw to 1st base to complete the final out of the inning. Offensively, Xander drew a walk to lead off the bottom of the first.

Jack Raymond did his part to alleviate the Blue Jays' on-base troubles. Demonstrating solid plate discipline, he drew walks in both of his plate appearances and scored a run in the bottom of the third. Defensively, Jack did a great job getting well hit balls back to the infield in the top of the second.

Jake Lang didn't get many pitches to hit, so he did the right thing and kept his bat on his shoulder. Jake drew a walk in the first and was hit by a pitch in the sixth. Defensively, Jake played heads-up baseball at 1st base and 3rd base.

Derek Sappenfield took some big hacks in his two trips to the plate. After working on his swing throughout the summer and delivering some serious shots in practice, Derek has the look of a future power man. Defensively, he played solid ball at 3rd base and in the outfield.

George Roggie found his power stroke in the last week and put it to use in the game with the Cardinals. He knocked a double up the middle in the first inning and launched a triple to the sidewalk in left center field in the sixth. George was involved in four of his team's five runs, scoring two and driving in two. Defensively, he contributed two assisted put-outs at 1st base.

Michael Hardie supported his teammates from the home bench. We're hopeful that Michael will be able to come off the DL for the final game or two.

Support Staff

Brian Ferguson coached at 3rd base, assisted with pregame warm-ups, and lugged gear before and after the game.

Derrick Raymond assisted with warm-ups and coached at 1st base, an unusually lonely location on this day.

Steve Berman enjoyed a quiet afternoon of score keeping from the grass behind the bench.

Tom Yu returned to the team he once coached and immediately contributed to the cause, coaching at 1st base in the late innings and carrying gear when the game was finished.

Onward!