‘Jacks drop playoff opener in 10th

LITTLE FALLS, N.J. – Jay LaFlair’s RBI double in the 10th lifted the New Jersey Jackals to an opening 5-4 semifinal series win over the Bangor Lumberjacks in the Northeast League Thursday night.

LaFlair’s one-out double scored Scott Goodman, who had singled.

New Jersey tagged Bangor’s Adam Thomas for three runs in the bottom of the first inning, prior to a 20-minute rain delay. Zack Smithlin provided a two-run single.

The Lumberjacks responded in the top of the fourth when Shin Uchino slammed a two-run triple. Bangor added another run in the seventh when Derry Hammond doubled home Jose Garcia with the tying run. Garcia had singled.

The Lumberjacks then scored their fourth unanswered run in the top of the ninth on Mark Burke’s RBI double to take a 4-3 lead.

The Jackals answered in the ninth when Darren Ciraco slammed a solo home run.

Aaron Myers lasted 6 1/3 innings, for the Jackals. He gave up three runs, on six hits, while walking three, and striking out seven.

Fabricio Benitez got the win for the Jackals.

The series resumes tonight at 7.