The Jackson Generals celebrated the 20th anniversary of The Ballpark at Jackson with a 7-3 win over the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, Thursday.

But starting pitcher Alex Young had an another reason to celebrate.

“It is my mother’s birthday,” Young said. “All she asked for was the win, and she got it.”

Young, who pitched five full innings was stellar in the season opener, allowing one run and three hits – two in the first inning, when Jacksonville took a short-lived one run lead.

“After the triple, I started settling down,” Young said. “I made pitches when I needed to, and it really helped me throughout the whole outing. The runs scored were awesome (and) defense was really good today … everyone did their part, and that’s why we won.”

Kevin Medrano’s solo home run in the bottom of the first tied the game at 1-1, and following a triple by Galli Cribbs that scored Jay Gonzalez in Jackson’s half of the second, it gave the Generals the lead for good.

The Generals – the Double A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks – increased the lead to 5-1 in the fifth when Marty Herum launched a two-run home run over the left centerfield wall that chased Jacksonville starter Cody Poteet.

After the Jumbo Shrimp (Miami Marlins) cut the lead to 5-3 in the top of the fifth, Jackson scored twice in the bottom of the seventh giving the home team a 7-3 lead.

A Jose Vinicio double scored Jay Gonzalez who opened the inning with a single and Alberto Rosario, who reached on a Jacksonville error.

Taylor Widener is expected to take the mound for the Generals, when the five-game series resumes at 6:05 p.m., Friday.

(PHOTO: Alex Young pitches for the Jackson Generals in a 7-3 win over Jacksonville, Thursday – courtesy Cody Cunningham, Jackson Generals)
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