A Fine Start

The first game is in the books, a walkoff victory rewarding a strong pitching effort by the new Biscuits.

The evening started with a few light moments.

The Lookouts players were ushered to the first base line and asked to stand in numerical order. It was fun watching them try to figure out what their own number was, as they were all new to the uniforms they were wearing. Many had to turn to the guy next to them and ask "what number am I wearing?"

Usually reliable Rick Hendricks, popular DJ and longtime Riverwalk p.a. announcer, completely botched the Lookouts managers name. Doug Mientkiewicz can be tough to spell, but even casual fans should remember the man who caught the ball for the out that ended the Red Sox curse!

We managed to avoid the usual preseason speaking and got down to baseball - the teams were announced and the anthem sung. 

NEW GUY NOT BAD
The Skitz starting pitcher wore the name "Schultz" on his back, but we were pretty sure it should have said "Houdini".

The hurler used triple digit heat and a good changeup that dove out of the strike zone to minimize the damage and rack up nine punchouts. The K's were sweet, but cut into his pitch count and he exited in the fifth inning after allowing a pair of earned runs.


RAYS TRADED FOR HIM
Newly acquired pitcher Bradin Hagens proved his worth, shutting the door in his first Skitz appearance. He provided strong relief early, arriving in the 5th inning to stifle Lookout bats allowing one hit and posting an impressive nine strikeouts in his three and a third IP.

Biscuit veteran Parker Markel was next in line, and he tossed an inning and made a mistake. It resulted in a Miguel Sano home run that would have struck the passing train had the jumbo-tron not knocked it down. Its a good thing, as any train might have been derailed by such a shot as the Twins prospect launched.

Fresh Biscuits are the Best
However the Biscuits made Markel a winner in spite of his one pitch oops, as the Lookouts snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Chatt reliever Nick Burdi couldn't find the strike zone with a map, a hit and four walks put two runs across the dish. With the bases full of Biscuits, Burdi was mercifully pulled and could only watch as Boog Powell singled home a pair to walk off winners.


Cue fireworks!

Yes, I have more pics and video of opening night. No, I didnt have time to edit them for use. This aint no pay site!