Blue Jays Hold Off Late Comeback from Marauders to Win 8-6

Clearwater, FL.---Early offense in the first inning to the tune of five runs for Dunedin helps give the squad their second win in a row.
The first night game at Jack Russell Stadium this year brought offensive fireworks throughout the contest on Friday night. The Blue Jays started fast out of the gates with a pair of walks by Cal Stevenson and Chavez Young. A Ryan Noda blooper to shallow center brought home Cal Stevenson for the first run of the game. Bradenton's starter, Max Kranick, was chased out of the game with just two outs in the first inning after giving up his third walk to Christian Williams. After the change, Norberto Obeso promptly singled into right field bringing in his first two RBI of the season in just his second game with Dunedin. A Kevin Vicuña single and passed ball 2 batters later wrapped up the first inning with the score at 5-0
Justin Dillon had another solid start in his second game, both coming in Jack Russell Stadium. After giving up a solo home run to Dylan Busby, Dillon settled in cruising through the next two innings giving up two hits. The righty finished with six innings pitched, eight hits, and four runs earned in a winning effort. His ERA for the season currently sits at 3.09.
The bats seemed to cool down for the Blue Jays in the middle innings, until the scoring opened up again in the 5th. Christian Williams stepped into the box and launched the first home run of the season for Dunedin at Jack Russell stadium to deep right field. It was his first home run for the yea after hitting seven last season in Class-A Lansing. Norberto Obeso continued his hot streak with his third hit of the game coming as a double to right-center field, while Vicuna hit Obeso home in the next at-bat tying each other for the team high two RBI in the game.
The Blue Jays seemed to have a comfortable lead going into the 6^th inning up 8-1, but the Marauders did not go away easily. Dylan Busby was the main driver in keeping the game close as he drove in three runs off of two homers in the 2^nd and 8^th inning. William Ouellette got into some trouble during the 8^th inning after pitching a clean 7^th in relief of Justin Dillon. Heading into the 9^th inning, the lead was struck to just two runs with Matt Shannon on to close.  
The righty recorded his first save of the year in his first opportunity. He made it through the final three batters not allowing a runner on base with a strikeout, and two ground balls to hold off Bradenton and get Justin Dillon his second win of the year.
Dunedin leads the Florida State League North with the win on Friday, starting the season 6-3. The series against the Marauders continues in Bradenton tomorrow at 6:30 before the two teams return to Clearwater for the final game of the three game set at 1:00.