Fargo, ND – For the first time in 8 years, the Merchants had new catchers gear. “Boy did I look sharp tonight, catcher Anthony Fontana said. “I might not give up a passed ball all year.”

The new Merchant catcher's gear gave Fontana confidence at the plate too; the Merchant backstop led the way at the plate going three for four with a triple.

“I think the new gear just gave me that extra swagger today,” stated Fontana while he downed a Beast in the parking lot.

The Merchant pitching staff must have felt comfortable throwing to Fontana in that new gear. Five Merchant pitchers combined to strikeout 19 Mets, while only giving up two hits.

Brandon Baumgartner filled in for usual opening day starter Greg Lunski and got the win for on the mound for the Merchants, throwing two scoreless innings in the pre-determined split.

After a taking a year off, Steve Hirchert made his comeback by striking out the side in his only inning on the mound and getting a line drive base hit in his only at bat.

The Merchants head to the Herd & Horns Invitational this weekend. Their first game is on Friday at 6:15 pm at Jack Williams Stadium in Fargo.