Navigators use local talent to defeat Dominican Republic team

LYNN – In front of a crowd of nearly 2000 fans at Fraser Field on Thursday night, the North Shore Navigators made the most of a friendly exhibition match against the Dominican All-Star team. Playing in front of perhaps the most energy-filled crowd at Fraser this season, the Navigators used some of their usual crew, along with a few local ballplayers and a pair of the organizations co-general managers, to come up an 8-4 victory.Getting the start for North Shore was Jason Tower, co-general manager of the Navigators throughout the summer and student athlete during the school year at Eastern Nazarene College. Having never put on a Navigators uniform this season, expectations regarding Tower were reserved heading into this exhibition match. After battling through two extremely difficult jams in the first and second innings, Tower finished off his night by retiring the side in order in the third frame.”I was a little nervous at first, but I settled down,” Tower said. “It was a lot of fun. It was good to see some guys get to play in different positions than they’re used to. The atmosphere was awesome. I wish it could be like this every night.”The Navigators would give Tower the run support he deserved in the home half of the third inning, scoring three times. All three runs were batted in by players not currently on the Navigators roster – Jesse Bruinsma of Curry college and Swampscott native Jason Blydell from Dartmouth College. Bruinsma, who will be joining North Shore’s roster in the coming days, started off the scoring attack by plating Ryan McCrann with an RBI single. Blydell followed by knocking in two runs with a triple to right center to give the Navs a 3-0 lead.Coach Falcon was pleased with the way in which the players not on the Navigators roster were able to contribute tonight and give some of his players some always-welcomed rest.”I was very happy with them,” Falcon said. “They helped us out a lot, I could not have asked for anything more. They did exactly what I was hoping for – they gave our guys a chance to rest.”Although they came out on the losing side of the game, the highlight of the game belonged to Dominican All-Star center fielder Leonardo Vilorio. Navigators’ pitcher Chris Kowalski (Boston College) ripped a line drive to the gap in right center field and Vilorio made an amazing diving stab for the out, with his body parallel to the grass.”Coach Falcon gave me a chance to hit tonight,” Kowalski said after asking about the catch which robbed him of a double. “I hit the ball and I get all excited, and next thing I know the guy made the number one play on Sportscenter there in center field. It was a great experience playing against these guys; playing a team with a different culture. [It was a] great atmosphere. The kid made a great catch so hats off to him. It was a great night all the way around.”Another unfamiliar name followed Jason Tower to preserve the lead for the Navigators through the sixth inning. Ritchie Piero entered the game in the fourth inning and allowed only one unearned run in three innings of work.North Shore was able to put the game out of reach in the bottom of the seventh inning, stretching the lead to 8-1 after scoring four runs and capitalizing on the control problems of Dominican All-Star pitcher Jose Pimental. Scoring one of the four runs for North Shore and helping them to victory in the seventh was Matt Judkins (Maine Farmington), another Navigators co-general manager.After making noise in the top of the ninth inning by scoring three times, Navs pitching was able to close the door on the Dominican All-Star team and enjoy an 8-4 victory.The Navigators resume NECBL game action on Saturday night when they take on the Lowell All-Americans, in Lowell.