There were — deep breath here — 15 runs, 16 hits, 17 walks, six errors, five hit batters and 10 pitchers used between the two West Division rivals.

The difference in the outcome, according to Tarp Skunks’ manager Ben Julian?

“It’s always a lot of nerves,” he said.

The Muckdogs jumped out to an early lead before most fans at Diethrick Park had settled into their seats and they rolled to a 12-3 victory over the Tarp Skunks.

Tarp Skunks first baseman Bobby Stang fields a grounder. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

“Some of these guys haven’t played in front of big crowds,” Julian said. “That’s normal. If you don’t have some kind of butterflies before you go out there, you’re not alive. I think you can chalk it up to that. A couple of things could have gone different ways. We looked good in many ways and just had some back luck, too. We’ll be alright.”

Batavia pushed across three runs in the first and two in the second off losing pitcher Brady Wright and then tacked on two more in the fifth, one in the sixth and four in the eighth to win going away.

Jamestown, meanwhile, scored two unearned runs in the second inning and one in the fourth, courtesy of an RBI double by Eli Harpalani.

But that was it for the hosts.

Matt Misiti, the first of five Muckdog pitchers, earned the win.

Leading the offensive attack for the winners were Sean Mindas with three hits and an RBI; James Mason with two hits and two RBIs; and James Bolton with a two-run double.

Harpalani’s two-bagger was the lone extra-base hit for the Tarp Skunks, who struck out 14 times.

“It’s game one of a long season,” Julian said. “Historically, when my teams start less than optimally, we end up rallying and doing a pretty good job. I’m not worried at all. I saw really good things and we got the nerves out. We have a lot of talent on this team all the way around. We’re pretty deep, I think.”

Jamestown will be back in action Saturday when it travels to Newark. Sam Hough, a right-hander from Bates College, will get the start. Batavia, meanwhile, is at Elmira tonight.

NOTES: Gabe Wheeler, the third of five Tarp Skunks pitchers, was hit with a line drive off the side of his knee in the top of the sixth inning. After being attended to on the mound, he was able to walk off unassisted. “Luckily, it was the side of his knee,” Julian said. “It looked pretty scary at first, but the good thing is where it hit. I think it’s going to be alright. He says he feels a lot better already.” … Scotty James threw out one of the ceremonial first pitches. … The national anthem was sung by Stephen Lindstrom.