The Capitals, the almost perennial Newfoundland and Labrador representatives, began with a 5-4 loss to one of two Ontario entries in a game that saw St. John’s leading 2-1 until the top of the sixth inning when Ontario scored four runs — two of them unearned.
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The Capitals battled back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the frame on Gerry Stone’s second two-run home run of the game, but could not draw even.
Scott Goosney took the loss, scattering eight hits, striking out six and walking just a single batter.
Beyond Stone’s power shots, St. John’s didn’t have a whole lot of offence, with just five hits in total, two of them by catcher Scott Stockley.
Thursday’s second game, against the New Brunswick Senior League champion Charlottetown Islanders, saw the Capitals blasted 13-1 in a match that went just five innings.
Greg Barry suffered the loss, with James Walsh collecting two of St. John’s four hits in the game.
The Capitals play once today, a morning contest against Alberta.