Carlos Duncan and Mitch Evans supplied the offence as the Calgary Vipers won their first game of the season in Joliet against the JackHammers at Silver Cross Field. Duncan, went four-for-five, scoring a run and driving in two. Evans remains hot, after hitting two home runs in the preseason, going two-for-five while driving in three runs including the game winner.

Calgary started the scoring in the third inning as Duncan drove in his first of two on the night with a double.

The Vipers added to their lead in the fifth inning with Duncan again driving in a run and then Evans bringing home two with a single.

With the score 4-0 the Jackhammers got on the score board in the bottom of the 5th thanks to a wild pitch and Chad Ernsberger's first run batted in of the season cutting the lead in half.

The Snakes wasted little time getting the runs back as in the seventh Darryl Brinkley scored on a double play and Evans drove in his third run of the game with a single.

Joliet made things interesting in their last at bats scoring two runs on a Tim Hutting double and a Anthony Monegan sacrifice fly. However that would be as close as they came with the final score 6-4 in favour of Calgary.

Designated Hitter Shaun Ashman and shortstop Nelson Castro had solid nights scoring two runs a piece.

Jeff Groeger made the start for Calgary going five innings and striking out four while picking up the win. Tom Lyons came in and struck out the only batter he faced to pick up the first save of his six-year career. Ryan Klatt pitched a perfect seventh and eighth innings for the Vipers.

The four game series continues against Joliet on Friday and Saturday night at 6:05 PM (MDT) and then concludes Sunday afternoon at 1:05 PM (MDT). All games can be heard at www.am770chqr.com.

The home opener at newly refurbished Foothills Stadium is set for Friday, May 25 when the Vipers will celebrate the 100th anniversary of professional baseball in Alberta.