The Shark were the first to strike putting four runs on the board in the first inning. Newcomer Zach Matthews started on the hill for the Jays, but struggled out of the gate lasting only a third of an inning while allowing four runs and walking five. Jays skipper, Scott Geisler had to go to the bullpen very early in the game bringing on Ben Koopman to try to stop the bleeding. Koopman would pitch three and two-thirds innings giving up three hits on two runs, and striking out five.
The Jays plated runs in the second and third innings off a home run from Mitch Goodwin and a double by Joe Loftus scoring Jeff Butler, but still trailed 6-2 through four innings.
TJ Larson would take over for Koopman on the mound in the fifth inning with a tremendous performance that included allowing only one hit and striking out 12 Shark batters, and allowing no runs to be scored resulting in becoming the game’s winning pitcher.
Consistent bat performance was key to the Jays win. Two runs in the fifth, one in the sixth, and two in the seventh put the Jays on top 7-6 after seven innings, and then added another two runs in the eighth for a score of 9-6.
The Jays churned out 14 hits on the day. Jeff Butler was 3-for-3 and others with multiple hits included Cody Kashmark, Joe Loftus, and Zac Repinski
The Jays take a break before the Highland Park Beavers travel to The Vet in Prior Lake for a non-league exhibition game on Sunday, June 2nd at 6:00 pm.