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Nearly 6,000 fans packed Sargent’s Stadium at the Point for the official opening night contest in the 81st AAABA Tournament.
The night began with the traditional parade of convertible Corvettes bringing AAABA Ambassadors into the Point, with players and coaches of the 14 teams not playing in the night game marching behind the muscle cars.
The Ambassadors, wearing formal gowns, formed a half circle around the infield as dignitaries joined members of the AAABA National Board and Johnstown Oldtimers Baseball Association in welcoming the crowd.
Sweet Adelines of the Altoona Chorus performed the Star Spangled Banner, and Ed Sheehan, who recently retired after 33 years of leading CTC in Johnstown, threw the ceremonial first pitch.
The Bomb Squad on the hillside above the Stonycreek River chimed in at appropriate moments with one “explosion” after another.
On the field, Johnstown Mainline Pharmacy defeated the New York City SAYO Grays 13-3 in seven innings as a paid attendance of 5,829 watched. Mainline produced 16 hits.
Mainline first-year players Tanner Stroup and Xander Richardson had big nights at the plate. Stroup had three hits, including a pair of triples and five RBIs, and Richardson had three hits, with a two-run homer. On the mound, Johnstown’s Chase Williamson (five innings) and Bryce Madden (two scoreless frames) were in command.
New York’s lone two hits both were impressive, as left fielder Jasmark Munoz cleared the wall in left center field twice — a two-run shot and a solo blast.