Jays mercy Cornhuskers in six innings, announce All-Star players

June 25, 2014 · 0 Comments

By Jeff Doner

After getting rained out yet again on Tuesday, the Aurora Jays senior men’s baseball team made the most of a Saturday matinee in Nobleton against the Cornhuskers to take a 14 – 3 victory.

The win stretches the Jays unbeaten streak to an incredible 12 games and moves them into third place behind the Ivy Leafs and Bolton Brewers in the North Dufferin Baseball League standings.

“We were a bit shorthanded on Saturday, but when you’re having fun in baseball, things just seem to come natural to you,” said team manager Rob Wilson. “In this game the bats came out, the gloves came out, Brent [Owen] was pitching extremely well, even though he was dealing with a difficult strike zone we’ll say, but he stuck with it and took the attitude of getting over the frustration and took some adversity in stride.”

Owen’s strong start on the mound, coupled with a spot on defence was key, but the bats also woke up for the Jays, with Chris Fafalios belting two home runs and veteran Ted Beadle smacking one of his own.

“I think I’m starting to feel more comfortable at the plate,” Beadle said, referencing a slow start to the season at the plate. “It seems to take a while after a long winter, but it always feels good to hit one out especially after a little slump.”

The game was called early when the Jays went up by 10 runs in the sixth inning, and Chris Rettie made an appearance on the mound to close the game out.

Wilson said it was the perfect way for the Jays to shake themselves up a bit.

“It’s just what the doctor ordered after a couple really tight games, so it was nice to get things back in stride,” he said. “We’re about halfway through the season, which is encouraging to only have the one loss and oddly enough, we still have some areas to work on, but it’s a positive thing. You don’t want it all to feel like it’s coming too easily to the guys when you have half the season left to play.”

The Jays have a tough schedule this week with three games in a row on Tuesday at home and then Wednesday and Thursday on the road.

“This week in particular is going to be a really big test for us,” Wilson said. “The guys will have to be ready to play. It’s going to be a good opportunity to learn really how deep we are.”

Last week the club also announced who will be representing the Jays at the upcoming All-Star Game in Mansfield on July 5, with Andrew Bukovec, Chris Fafalios and Jake Pinnegar getting the nod.

Wilson said Bukovec has had limited playing time this season, but when he has been in, he has been dynamite, including a one-hitter start just a couple of weeks ago.

“He’s a guy who deserves to be an all-star this year based on his performance and having the opportunity to send a new face for us this year was a good feeling,” Wilson said.

“After taking last year off, Jake Pinnegar has come back and lit it up for us. He has been as solid as you can ask for in the outfield and his batting has been outrageous, he’s hitting north of 400 right now. As for Chris Fafalios, he’s a five tool player and he deserves to be there as much as any player in the league.”

The team also gave kudos to Ian Rettie, Dan Lehmkuhl and Chris Bloom who have all been a major part to the Jays success this season.
For more information on the Jays, visit www.ndbl.ca