The Upsala Blue Jays played their final road game of the regular season this past weekend as the team traveled to Opole to play the Opole Bears (2-9).  These 2 teams met earlier this season at Varsity Field in Upsala, where the Jays prevailed 1-0 as Upsala's Matt Swanson out dueled Opole's Jake Nelson in a pitcher's duel.  The same two pitchers got the start for their respective teams this time around.  

This one was held at a scoreless tie through 4 innings of play, but in the 5th the Jays were able to break through and score a pair of runs.  The first came via an error by the Opole defense, and the 2nd on an RBI single by Adam Gerads.  Upsala added 6 more runs in the 8th in route to the 8-0 victory.  

Matt Swanson had another excellent pitching performance for Upsala, allowing just one base hit over 8 innings of work.  John Fuchs pitched a scoreless 9th in relief of Swanson.

Matt Swanson, Adam Gerads, and Ben Burggraff all had 2 hits for Upsala.  Blake Patrick had the lone hit for Opole.

The Blue Jays now enter the final weekend of the regular season in a tie for first place with Sobieski in the Victory League West.  Both teams are 10-2 in league play.  The Jays currently hold the tie-breaker against Sobieski, which means a win against Randall this coming Saturday would mean that Upsala would win at least a share of the Victory League West title, earn the #1 seed in the West Division playoffs, and also clinch a spot in the Region 8C tournament.  On the other hand, a loss for the Jays against Randall and the Blue Jays would fall to the #2 seed regardless of Sobieski's outcome against Lastrup.  

So the formula is simple:  WIn and  earn the #1 seed in the West Division playoffs, while also clinching a spot in the region tournament.  Lose and fall to the #2 behind Sobieski, and have to earn a spot in the region tournament via the divisional tournament.

The Saturday is also the drawing for the Upsala Blue Jays/UBA raffle.  The drawing will be held following the game with Randall on Saturday.  First pitch is slated for 1:30 from Varsity Field in Upsala