Jays Open Season With Big Win (Rebroadcast Available)

Click here to listen to rebroadcast of the game

The Marshfield Blue Jays opened the 2008 baseball season with a bang, defeating the host Bison 12-2 at the annual Buffalo-Bolivar High School Tournament on Friday.

Shaun Crawford was the winning pitcher, striking out 7 batters while going the distance without any walks, scattering 8 hits in 5 innings.

Marshfield struck first in the last of the first as leadoff hitter Cameron Keenan walked, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jordan Jones and scored on a double by Justin Fraker. Chris Arnold also had a first inning hit for the Jays.

Buffalo answered with both their runs in the top of the second. Cody Rosier and Jordan Henderson each had a hit and scored a run in the inning. Tyler Cobb, Chandler Truster and Cody Rosier each finished with 2 hits in the game for Buffalo, which opened the tournament with a win over Catholic, and finished the day with a 1-1 season record.

Marshfield responded by batting around in the last of the second, taking the lead for good. Third baseman Justin Drane started the rally with a single and moved to second on a hit by first baseman Zach Hildebrand.

Cameron Keenan singled to drive in the tying run for Marshfield. Jordan Jones singled and drove in a run to put the Blue Jays in front 3-2. Justin Fraker walked to load the bases and Nathan VanDiggelen followed with a 2-run single to put Marshfield in front 5-2.

The Blue Jays threatened to add more runs in the last of the third when Zach Hildebrand doubled, Cameron Keenan walked and Jordan Jones singled, but Marshfield left the bases loaded.

In the fourth, Garrett Cardwell doubled with one out and scored on a single by catcher Shawn Steele, putting the Jays on top 6-2.

In the fifth, Marshfield won the game by pulling 10 runs in front. Hildebrand started the inning with a walk, and scored all the way from first on a hit by Cameron Keenan.

Justin Fraker belted a 2-run homer with one out.

Nathan Van Diggelen singled, followed by consecutive walks to Chris Arnold and Garrett Cardwell. Justin Drane drove in a run with a single, and then Shawn Steele walked to drive in another. The game ended on a hit by Zach Hildebrand.

The Blue Jays backed the solid pitching outing by Shaun Crawford with production up and down the order:

Cameron Keenan went 2-for-2 with 2 walks, stealing a base and driving in two runs for the winners.

Jordan Jones finished with 2 hits, an RBI, a run scored and a sacrifice.

Justin Fraker homered, doubled, walked, scored a run and drove in 3.

Nathan VanDiggelen had 2 hits, drove in 2 and scored.

Chris Arnold added a hit, a walk and a run scored.

Garrett Cardwell walked twice, doubled, and scored twice.

Justin Drane had 2 hits, a run scored and an RBI.

Shawn Steele had a hit, a walk and 2 RBI.

Zach Hildebrand doubled, singled twice, walked and scored twice.