LocalSportsJournal.com
The Blue Jays, a Muskegon-based summer baseball squad comprised of former college players, kicked of the National Amateur Baseball Federation Major Division
regional tournament on Friday with a 4-2 victory over Michigan Sports Academy.
The winner of the tournament, which is being played at Marsh Field and Mona Shores, will qualify for the NABF Major Division World Series in Battle Creek.
The game was scoreless until the third inning when Jason Ribecky landed an RBI single for the Blue Jays. The local team added three runs in the fifth inning with a solo homer from Brandon Bard and RBI singles by Aaron Gowell and Jalen Cox.
Starting pitcher Ryan Butzer earned the victory for the Blue Jays, allowing two runs over six innings. Eric Niesen struck out the side in the seventh inning to earn the save.
The Blue Jays, champions of the Muskegon Summer Baseball League, will continue tournament play Saturday with games at Mona Shores High School at 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.
