Five 2010 draft picks make debuts as IronBirds win opener

The Aberdeen IronBirds began their ninth season of play in the New York-Penn League tonight with a win in the season opener, 5-2 at home vs. Hudson Valley. The IronBirds used six extra-base hits and a three-pitcher, three-hitter to send 6,671 fans home happy from Ripken Stadium. Starting pitcher Justin Anderson got the win allowing just one hit, a solo homer, over six innings. T.R. Keating pitched two scoreless and Brian Parker gave up a run in the ninth. L.J. Hoes began his rehab assignment going 1 for 2 with a triple and Kipp Schutz, a 19th-round pick last year, went 2 for 4 with a triple and two RBI. The IronBirds starting lineup featured five 2010 draft picks: Round 13 pick Jeremy Nowak batted 6th in RF and went 1-4 with a triple, run and RBI. Round 15 pick Joe Oliveira batted ninth and was the catcher and went 0 for 3. Round 30 pick, Michael Mooney batted second at SS and went 1 for 4. Round 31 pick Adam Gaylord batted 8th at 3B and went 1-3 with a double and RBI. Round 37 pick Austin Knight from Palm Beach Junior College and before that Boy's Latin High in Baltimore, batted leadoff in CF and went 1 for 4. When the IronBirds host Hudson Valley on Saturday night at 7:05, this year's 21st round pick, righty Scott Copeland is the scheduled starter. He went 11-1, 3.75 at Southern Miss this season and led Conference-USA in wins and was second in ERA.