The Jerks of Hammond, a men’s hardball team, prevailed 5-3 over their longtime rival, the Richmond As on Sunday at Larry Walker Field, improving to 4-0.
The Athletics staked themselves an early lead in the top of the first, but the Jerks turned the momentum around quickly in the bottom half of the inning, when a single by Juan Carlos Santana plated leadoff man Derrick Hansvall.
Ernie Williams knocked in Santana with a bloop single, and a groundout by Matt Maclean scored Jeff Schmidt for the third run of the first inning.
The Jerks added another two runs in the fifth, led by Kiel Aarstad’s first hit and RBI of the season.
Offensively the Jerks were led by the heart of their order, with Santana, Schmidt and Williams each collecting two hits.
Starting pitcher Blair Cumming (2-0, 1.69 ERA) allowed a first-inning run for the first time this season, but overall was his usual dominant self. He threw five innings, allowing four hits, two earned runs with five strikeouts.
Jeff Schmidt, who has yet to allow a run on the season, came on in relief, and tossed two innings of scoreless ball. He induced a double play and kept his scoreless streak to begin the season at nine innings. Closer Rob Gauthier (0.81 ERA) shut the door and picked up his third save.
The win moved the Jerks to 4-0. They play Saturday against a newcomer to the Lower Mainland Baseball Association, the New Westminster Twins, at Queens Park.
