Brainerd drops first game of the season at Alex

ALEXANDRIA -- After starting their inaugural season 2-0, the Brainerd Blue Thunder were trampled by the Alexandria Beetles 16-5 in Northwoods League baseball Friday.

The Beetles' Jeff Tezak was 4-for-5 with four RBI, Jason Cooper hit a solo home run and Mark Shorey also homered for Alexandria. Jimmy Bacon went 3-for-5 and Jeremy Burchett was 3-for-4 with three runs.

Brainerd thir baseman Joe Tautges was 2-for-3 with a double and RBI and designated hitter Brennan Garr drove in two runs.

Brainerd scored four runs in the first inning when the Beetles began an onslaught that led to 18 hits.

Brandon McGee started and took the loss for the Blue Thunder. He gave up eight hits and four earned runs, walked two and struck out three in three innings.

Ben Smith pitched five innings for Alexandria to get the win. He gave up five hits and four earned runs, walked four and struck out three.

Brainerd 400 000 010 -- 5 6 3

Alexandria 131 052 31x -- 16 18 3

Brd -- Brandon McGee, Kai Tuomi (4), Rob Rodriguez (5), Troy Wunderlich (6), Brennan Garr (8) and Lars Davis, Dan Quinn. Alex -- Ben Smith, Rapoza (6), Jeremy Burchett (9) and Jason Cooper. W -- Smith (1-0). L -- McGee (0-1).

2B -- Brd, Joe Tautges; Alex, Paul Rice, Burchett. HR -- Alex, Cooper, Shorey. SB -- Brd, Markus Frieske, Mike Klimlinger; Alex, Tezak, Shorey.