The Daily Alaska empire., 1938-05-16
DOUGLAS WINS
 OPENING GAME,
 HURLERS' DUEL
Walk and Error Pu sh Across Lone Run of Con-
 test in Fifth Inning

EfCI JIllnlB llioO baoNboii the game it is, except good hot sun shine, was present at Firemen's Park in Juneau Sunday for the opening of the 1888 Gastineau Chan nel League season.
 Fine pitching performances by the opposing hurlers, Erskine and Kimball resulted in nine innings of tight baseball, in which one un- earned run scored by Johnny Niemi of Douglas. in the fifth inning gave the Islanders a 1 to decision and a. jump on the other teams in the pennant race Backing up the work of the moundsmen was exception ally good early-season fielding by both teams.
 Even though the sun did refuse to shine, except for scattered min- uteS sandwiched between intermit- tent light showers, the cloudy cold ness of the day did not keep large turnout of expectant fans from viewing the opening ceremonies, and the contest.
 Band Plays
 Following the opening parade be- hind the Juneau City Band from the gathering place at Triangle Place. where fans and officials met at 4 o'clock, the band continued to play from the stands at the park while the two rival squads ran through their. warm-up practices and, the fans filed to their places. Then, at 4:30, Secretary of Alaska E. w. Griffin mounted the mound tc hurl the seasons first ball. The honorary chucker split the plate with two pitches which were re- ceived by Mayor-Catcher Harry I. Lucas before Collector of Customs J. J. Connors, in the batters' box, decided that the third pitch just suited him and belted it into cen ter field setting the ball rolling.
 Baseball's traditions upheld, the honorary battery retired to the stands, umpires Red Gray, Bob Coughlin and Donald Hagerty took their places, behind the bat, at first base and at third base respectively, and the ball game was under way
 Hurlers' Battle
 But though the ball had been set rolling, the hurlers kept 1t from travelling much further during the opening innings. Three infield outs retired the Islanders in their first time at the plate, while Douglas hurler Claude Erskine used the last of the first to pile up three of the seventeen strikeouts that he was to record during the game; flaming the first three batters. In the first three innings, only nine Moose were to face Erskine
 But the Islanders did little better. Andrews did manage to drive hot liner through short for hit in the second, but double-play picked him off; while in the third, Balog scratched out Texas Leaguer and advanced to second when Roller walked; then Balog was forced at third for the third out.
 First on Base
 The Moose got their first man on base when Kelly Blake drew pass in the fourth, but Snow famed for the final down.
 It was the first of the fifth that saw the ball game won. With one away, Kimball handed Niemi a walk to set the stage. Bonner followed with beautiful bunt that sent Nie- mi to. second and on which Bonner himself reached first, for Douglas third and last hit, before Blake could chase down the ball.
 The next play was beautiful chance for the Moose to kill the rally with double play; but, with a chance even easier than that on which he had started double kill ing in the second inning. shortstop Jack Schmitz tried to throw the ball to second before he had control of it. and all runners arrived safely.
 Then Roller hit to deep second for a fielder's choice on which Niemi crossed the plate with the seasons first run; the tally that won the game for the Islanders.
 Two on Base
 The Moose tried to even it when a walk and Jack Schmitz' single filled first and second with none away in the last of the fifth, but Erskine famed the next two hit ters and forced an infield out, to hold the Paps in hand.
 The Moose gathered three more hits, the rest of the way through the game, but were unable to make any of them count, even when two came in a row in the eighth; while the Islanders were able to do no