Aurora Jays drop two on the road

June 8, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Jake Courtepatte

A hot start for the North Dufferin Baseball League’s Aurora Jays has cooled down after back-to-back losses over the weekend.

The fourth week of the AA season got off on the right foot with an 8 – 5 win over the Bolton Dodgers Tuesday at Lambert Willson Park, riding the wave of a four-run sixth inning and staving off a comeback in the seventh.

“We got a few off of their pitchers to start, and kind of got in their heads,” said manager Rob Wilson. “We kind of let their bats get them back into it…in the end though, we were able to hang on and got the win.”

Daniel Lehmkuhl earned his first win of the season on the mound, going four innings while giving up only two runs and striking out five.
“He was on fire,” said Wilson.

The celebration didn’t last, however, for the 4 – 0 Jays. Visiting the Orangeville Giants on Friday evening, Aurora’s high-powered offence was matched hit-for-hit in a high-scoring 7 – 6 affair.

Stephan Vallee and Lehmkuhl both crossed the plate in the top of the first inning to get the Jays on the board early, taking a 3 – 0 lead in the third. A back-and-forth offensive explosion followed for both sides, with the Jays taking a 6 – 4 lead into the seventh and final inning.

Orangeville earned the win in dramatic fashion, knocking in three runs in their half, capped off by a walk-off single with two outs that brought in both the tying and winning runs.

Despite the loss, nine different members of the Aurora roster reached base, Lehmkuhl leading the offence with two doubles and a triple in four at bats. Vallee, Chris Fafalios, and Brad Crosby also hit for extra bases.

The first loss of the season was followed by a rare shutout at the hands of the New Lowell Knights at New Lowell Rec Park on Sunday.

The only undefeated team remaining in the 14-team NDBL, the Knights’ high-powered pitching staff made it clear how they have managed just over a 1.00 ERA through the first ten games of the season. Lehmkuhl continued his hot start to the season, going two-for-three, while Michael Keon and Andrew Bukovec provided a hit each to round out the extent of the Jays’ offence.

Brandon Norrie was spectacular for the Knights on the mound, striking out nine batters.

New Lowell tagged Aurora’s starting pitcher Ian Milne for four earned runs over six hits, leaving the score at 4 – 0 when the game was called in the sixth due to weather conditions.

The rare stumble for the Aurora Jays has dropped their record to 4-2-0, nestled in the middle of the pack in league standings. They will be looking to get back on track Tuesday following press time hosting the Midland Indians, and round out the week on Sunday visiting the Alliston Athletics at Riverdale Park.

For stats, schedules, and more information, visit www.ndbl.ca.