Aurora Jays riding three game winning streak

May 24, 2017 · 0 Comments

By Jake Courtepatte

After a loss in their season opener in early May, the Aurora Jays are looking like the Aurora Jays.
The senior AA ball club has rattled off three wins in a row in the North Dufferin Baseball League, thanks to some strong defensive efforts on the mound.
In already their second and final matchup of the season, the Jays were looking to avenge their 5 – 2 season opening loss to the Bolton Brewers in their game on Wednesday in Innisfil, where they squeaked out a 2 – 1 win.
Thomas D’Andrade, in his first start on the mound as a Jay, settled in early, putting in five strong innings of one-run ball.
A familiar face came out for the sixth to battle the Bolton bats, former Brewer Nathan Robinson, who put up two strong innings to close out the game.
Aurora manager Rob Wilson said it was “great to get a season split.”
“It seems strange to say it, but it felt almost like a must win,” said Wilson.
The Ivy Rangers were the Jays’ next victims, at Victoria Park in Ivy on Thursday. The Rangers were in tough, winless through three games in their first season of senior level ball, falling 6 – 2 to the seasoned veteran Jays.
Devin Wu, who was dominant pitching for the Jays save for two solo home runs from the same batter, worked one of his best performances despite his mind possible being elsewhere.
“Wu, the night before he married his fiancé, was throwing darts from the mound,” said Wilson, noting that Wu’s fiancé was also in attendance at the game.
With the Jays putting up multiple runs in the seventh, the game was called early due to darkness.
A record of 3 – 1 brings Aurora into a tie for second place in the NDBL standings, behind only the 4 – 0 Orangeville Giants and tied with Clearview Orioles, Lisle Astros, and Barrie Angels.
They hit the field at Lambert Willson Park for a battle with the Angels Tuesday following press time, and will meet with the Alliston Athletics in their first matchup of the season at 8 p.m. Sunday at Riverdale Park.
Elsewhere around the league, the New Lowell Knights defeated the Brewers in the championship game of the annual Lisle Victoria Day Tournament by a score of 4 – 1.
For stats, schedules, and more information, visit www.ndbl.ca.