Bird Dawgs Soar to First Win in Inaugural Season

Published on May 16, 2025 under Frontier League (FL)
Down East Bird Dawgs News Release

Down East Bird Dawgs round the bases
(Down East Bird Dawgs)

The Bird Dawgs came out strong, plating five runs in the opening frame as eight batters came to the plate. The inning began with a pair of errors by the Jackals, allowing Stephen DiTamaso and Trotter Harlan to reach base. Cameron Masterman followed with an RBI single to left, scoring DiTamaso, and Harlan came home on a passed ball. Jaylen Smith was hit by a pitch to keep the Bird Dawgs rolling, and Cole Hill capped the inning with a three-run shot to left, his first home run of his professional career, giving the Bird Dawgs a 5-0 lead.

Spencer Johnston retired the first nine batters he faced, setting down the Jackals in order through three innings. The Bird Dawgs added to their lead in the fourth when DiTamaso ripped a two-run double to left, continuing his hitting streak to five games as he allowed Smith and Hill to score to go up 7-0.

The Bird Dawgs scored their final run in the top of the fifth as Hill knocked a base hit to score Emmanuel Tapia to take an 8-0 advantage.

New Jersey scored in the sixth inning as Ryan Ford scored on a passed ball and in the ninth as Xavier Vargas scored on a fielder's choice to cut the deficit to 8-2.

The Bird Dawgs were phenomenal in all facets of the game on Friday night as they did not commit any errors for the first time this season, gave up one walk on the mound, and dominated at the plate to take an 8-2 victory over New Jersey.

Spencer Johnston (1-1) was awarded the first win in franchise history for the Bird Dawgs as he delivered six innings, allowing six hits and one run while striking out six batters and walking none. Joe Joe Rodriguez (0-2) took the loss for the Jackals as he pitched four innings, giving up seven runs, while only two were earned.

The Bird Dawgs advance to 1-4 as they take on the Jackals on Saturday, May 17, for game two of the three-game series.

For more information and to stay updated on upcoming events, announcements and promotions, visit www.DownEastBirdDawgs.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

Down East Bird Dawgs round the bases

Frontier League Stories from May 16, 2025

• Big Inning Dooms Otters in First Road Game of 2025 - Evansville Otters
• Titans Outlast Crushers, Take Thrilling Opener - Ottawa Titans
• Grizzlies Win Fifth Straight, Take Home Opener from Aigles - Gateway Grizzlies
• Ten Hits Not Enough as Boomers Fall to Joliet - Schaumburg Boomers
• Thunderbolts Bounce Back with Blowout Game Two Win - Windy City ThunderBolts
• Late Walks Thwart Comeback, Crushers Drop to Titans 9-8 - Lake Erie Crushers
• Hometown Hero Reinisch Leads Charge in Fourth Consecutive Win - Tri-City ValleyCats
• Wild Things Dropped in Opener, Four-Game Win Streak Snapped - Washington Wild Things
• Bird Dawgs Soar to First Win in Inaugural Season - Down East Bird Dawgs
• Javier's Big Game Fuels Florence in Home Opener - Florence Y'alls
• ThunderBolts Walloped by Québec in Doubleheader Opener - Windy City ThunderBolts
• Huey Magoo's Joins the Swamp at Trustmark Park - Mississippi Mud Monsters
• Brockton Rox 2025 Frontier League Home Opener - Brockton Rox
• Grizzlies Sweep Mud Monsters Behind Strong Start from Conrad - Mississippi Mud Monsters
• Otters Score 18 in Series Clinching Win - Evansville Otters
• Bird Dawgs Squander Early Lead, Drop Final Game of Homestand - Down East Bird Dawgs

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Down East Bird Dawgs Stories

• Bird Dawgs Limited to Two Hits in Shutout Loss
• Bird Dawgs Drop Rain-Shortened Finale to Crushers 8-2
• Frontier League Awards Field of the Year to the Down East Bird Dawgs
• Bird Dawgs Stumble Late in 12-5 Loss to Crushers
• Bird Dawgs Take Command in First Clash with Crushers