The North Delta Blue Jays carried a two-run lead into the last two innings of the game, only to drop a 3-2 decision to the White Rock Tritons in their first game of the BC Premier Baseball League season Tuesday night at South Surrey Athletic Park.
The Jays broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning, with a two-out single from Mitch Boycuk scoring Riley Grewal and Brock Morgan.
North Delta pitcher Luke Manuel kept the Tritons off the scoreboard until the sixth inning, when White Rock knotted the score at 2-2 with a two-out double from Matt Stephens which scored Joey Gladman and Daniel Cassino.
Cassino hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh inning, allowing Kieren O'Connor to cross the plate for the game-winning run.
Cloverdale resident Ryan Braun took the loss for the Blue Jays, despite pitching to just four batters in the final frame, allowing two hits and an earned run.
Manuel gave up two earned runs on six hits and a pair of walks, recording nine strikeouts.
The Blue Jays are scheduled to play their first two home games of the season Saturday at Mackie Park in North Delta. The Coquitlam Reds, owners of a 2-2 (won-lost) record are the visitors for games at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
The Whalley Chiefs also played on the road Tuesday night, falling 2-1 to the Abbotsford Cardinals.
A single from Ryan Pouowells in the fifth inning scored Tim Bunnett to lift the Chiefs into a 1-1 tie. The Cardinals got the winning run with two out in the bottom of the seventh inning when a batter was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
Jacob Robazza of the Chiefs took the loss in relief, throwing four and two-thirds innings, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks. He and starting pitcher Cole Hunt combined for seven strikeouts.
The Chiefs will host the Vancouver Cannons tonight at 7 p.m. at Whalley Stadium.