Lumberjacks drop opener to New Jersey

LITTLE FALLS, N.J. – Starting pitcher Jackson Crowther retired the first 14 batters he faced and New Jersey’s hitters started strong as well as the Jackals opened the Northeast League season with a 10-1 victory over the Bangor Lumberjacks Thursday night.

The Jackals scored three runs in the first two innings and put the game away with seven in the sixth as Craig Conway and Scott Goodman had two hits apiece and six combined RBIs. Shortstop Chris Rowan started things off with a solo homer in the first.

Crowther pitched six innings of hitless, shutout ball while allowing one walk and notching four strikeouts.

Bangor’s lone run came in the eighth as leadoff man Mike Grasso drove home Paul Powell with a double into the gap in left center field.

Bangor managed just three hits while Lumberjacks’ pitchers were dusted up for 14 hits and seven earned runs. Bangor starter Adam Thomas took the loss after giving up four runs and six hits in five innings.