The Rick McDonald Memorial Fastball League marked the launch of their 20th anniversary last week with a twilight doubleheader in Azilda. The Garson Hounds and Sudbury Athletics opened festivities with a tight defensive battle, at least through in the early going as the Hounds held a 2-1 lead after three innings of play.

The A's broke it open in the bottom of the fourth, scoring four times to grab a 5-2 lead but the Hounds were quick to return the favour, answering with a five spot in the fifth and holding on for a 7-6 victory. Gary Lamothe (1-0) went the distance for the Hounds, surrendering 12 hits, striking out eight and not walking a single batter.

Pat Brennan Sr (0-1) suffered the loss as the Hounds touched the veteran hurler for 14 hits. Brennan fanned nine and matched Lamothe's effort in not allowing a base on balls through the contest. Lamothe helped himself at the plate with a 3/3 effort while Bruce McDonald responded with a double among his two-hit evening in a losing cause for the Athletics.

In the nightcap, a rivalry is renewed as the Pickerel River Cardinals and Dog House North Stars meet once again to open the new campaign. Again, the bats are listless in the early innings but wake up big time midway through the encounter as the Cardinals win going away, doubling the Stars 10-5.

Jonathan Contin (1-0) makes an impressive debut, striking out 14 and holding the North Stars to just nine hits in picking up the win. Dan Nootchtai (0-1) took the loss for the Dog House side, giving up 13 hits and issuing the only base on balls of the evening.

Alex Ashawasagai clubbed a three-run home run as part of a 4/5 effort, leading the Cardinals' attack while Ben Bast pounded out a double and triple in a losing cause for the North Stars.