Duluth new ballpark proved to be friendly as the fans greeted
the new 2000 season with overwhelming applause shortly after the
national anthem. Expectations are high this year, maybe to the point of
unreasonable for such a young club, but the Eskimo showed no signs of
opening day jitters and continued to perform well the entire home
series.
Game 1 went to Duluth 4-2, with the Axe remaining scoreless
until the top of the eight when Sheffield and Giles drove in Offerman
and Klesko off of Duluth starter Jeff Hallony. Marc Newfield knocked in
a pair with his first HR of the year, newly acquired Brant Brown also
hit an RBI double going 2 for 3 or the night. Future star rookie Corey
Patterson got his first hit in his first game in the PVBL, going 2 for 4
with a stolen base. "I was really pumped to get out there and finally
play ball in front of the city tonight. I felt up for the challenge,
and I believe I followed through.", speculated rookie Patterson.
Game #2 was a little more of a nail bitter, as the Eskimo pulled
out with a 4-3 triumph. The Axe attempted a ninth inning raly, scoring
once to cut the lead to one, but Duluth reliever Joshua Ludolph slammed
the door on any thoughts of a Battle win. Edmonds proved to be the
biggest Eskimo killer, hitting 2 HR off Duluth pitching. For the
Eskimo, 2 of the 4 runs came unearned off of Axe pitching miscues.
Highlights included another stolen base for CF Patterson, and another
strong rookie showing for recent first round selection Michael Barrett,
who went 3 for 4, all singles in only his second game. The win went to
reliever Jim Cunningham, who went an inning giving up only a run, much
credited to Jason Dickson who gave up 2 runs over 8 innings with 8 K's.
Game 3 was a heart breaker for Eskimo fans as Duluth lost 1-0 in
12 innings of play. Axeman Paul Sorrento knocked Ryan Klesko from third
with what proved to be the game winning RBI single in the top of the 12.
Lee Sosa was denied the win, though going 7 and 2/3 of scoreless ball,
striking out 6. Reliever Ludolph took the loss, giving up the single
RBI in 4 innings of work. Roy Clingman Jr. took the win for the Axe,
who used 5 pitchers in the marathon outing.
MVP honors went to:
Marc Newfield in game one:
2-3, 1 HR 2 RBI
Dickson in 2:
8 innings pitched, 0 runs 8 Ks
Paul Sorrento in game 3
hit game winning single in extra innings
Series player was given to Eskimo 1B Brant Brown, who hit .417 with
2 doubles and an RBI.
The Eskimo are currently tied for first with the defending division
champ Binghamton Mets with a 2-1 overall record. The next series will
be played in Duluth against the Spokane Pirates (1-1 overall, 3rd place
tie)
