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Miners win home opener

AUGUSTA. The Sussex County minor league baseball team has a 5-1 record after losing season opener to the Joliet Slammers in Illinois.

Augusta /
| 24 May 2023 | 06:02
    Willie Escala, an infielder for the Sussex County Miners, steals second base early in the home opener against the Tri-City ValleyCats on Tuesday, May 16. (Photos by Jay Vogel)
    Willie Escala, an infielder for the Sussex County Miners, steals second base early in the home opener against the Tri-City ValleyCats on Tuesday, May 16. (Photos by Jay Vogel)
    Pitcher Griffin Baker in action at the Sussex County Miners’ home opener May 16.
    Pitcher Griffin Baker in action at the Sussex County Miners’ home opener May 16.
    Jackson Valera tosses the ball under his leg.
    Jackson Valera tosses the ball under his leg.
    Infielder Willie Escala tracks down a fly ball.
    Infielder Willie Escala tracks down a fly ball.
    Outfielder Jawuan Harris races to first base.
    Outfielder Jawuan Harris races to first base.
    The team lines up for the National Anthem.
    The team lines up for the National Anthem.
    Children compete in potato sack races during a break in the game.
    Children compete in potato sack races during a break in the game.
    New manager Chris Widger is introduced before the game.
    New manager Chris Widger is introduced before the game.
    Outfielder Edwin Mateo leads off first base.
    Outfielder Edwin Mateo leads off first base.
    The Casey family of Fredon watches the game.
    The Casey family of Fredon watches the game.
    The team mascot, Herbie, greets fans as they enter Skylands Stadium.
    The team mascot, Herbie, greets fans as they enter Skylands Stadium.
    From left, Mary Ann, Erica and Connor Schaberg of Wantage are ready for the game.
    From left, Mary Ann, Erica and Connor Schaberg of Wantage are ready for the game.
    David Demsey, coordinator of jazz studies at William Paterson University, performs the Star Spangled Banner on the saxophone.
    David Demsey, coordinator of jazz studies at William Paterson University, performs the Star Spangled Banner on the saxophone.

The Sussex County Miners won their home opener, 6-1, against the Tri-City ValleyCats on Tuesday, May 16 at Skylands Stadium in Augusta.

That was their third win of the season.

They lost the season opener, 2-1, to the Joliet Slammers in Illinois.

As of Monday, May 22, the Miners were leading the East Division of the Frontier League with a 6-2 record.

They swept the three-game series against the ValleyCats and beat the New Jersey Jackals, 10-2, on Friday night, May 19 at Skylands.

But they fell to the Jackals, 10-6, on Sunday, May 21 in the Jackals’ new home at Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson. Another game with the Jackals, scheduled Saturday, May 20, was postponed until July 3.

The next three games were on the road against the Ottawa Titans.

The Miners return to Skylands Stadium on Friday, May 26 to play the Lake Erie Crushers.

That game, dubbed “Crush the Grapes,” is sponsored by the Garden State Wine Growers Association. It will feature a wine tasting and $3 wine special as well as a wine basket giveaway.