Bats Still Sleeping As Black Bears Begin Campaign

May 23, 2003 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Berkshire Black Bears News Release


The Black Bears stumbled into the 2003 Northeast League season with a 2-0 loss at New Jersey.

The Jackals did the only scoring of the game with one out in the bottom of the first inning. After Black Bear starter Rick Guttormson retired the lead off man on one pitch the Jackals hit back to back doubles, followed by an RBI single from New Jersey catcher Carlos Pagan, putting a two-spot on the board which would eventually prove to be enough in this rain-soaked opener.

Guttormson (0-1) settled down after a nervous first inning as he went on to throw five scoreless innings, striking out seven, walking two and hitting three. Jackals starter Aaron Myers (1-0) hurled six innings of shutout ball, giving up three hits, recording eight strikeouts and walking just one for his first win of the season. Julio Perez picked up his first save on the year in a 1-2-3 ninth inning, adding one of the 13 strikeouts tallied by New Jersey's pitchers.

The Black Bears' lone offensive moments came from 2nd baseman Shane Hopper, who went 2-for-4 on the night, singling in the first and doubling in the sixth.

The Black Bears are back in action Friday night for game two of the four-game opening series with the Jackals.



Canadian American League Stories from May 23, 2003


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