Chanhassen Red Birds opened RVL play this afternoon with an 8 - 4 win over the visiting Gaylord Islanders. Red Birds showed off their new RED Jersey uniforms to the almost 100 in attendance on Mother's Day. Justin Kurth got the mound for the start and pitched 5 + solid innings allowing 3 runs, getting 5 K's and allowing only 1 BB.

Nate Swenson relieved him in the 6th inning with one out and the bases loaded. Nate got the next two batters on a pop out to first and a short to second put out to snuff the rally.

Reid Teigland hit a triple to deep center with the bases loaded with Red Birds in the bottom of the 6th to give Chan a 7-3 lead. Both teams scored one more run and Lukas Penovich put down the side in order in the top of the 9th to get the save and preserve the win for Nate Swenson and the Red Birds.

Jeff Pavlovich had 3 hits, 3 rbi's and scored twice from the leadoff spot in the order. T.J. Gulden had 2 hits and scored twice. And the Red Birds committed no fielding errors, to earn Derek Nelson his first victory as the new Red Birds Manager.

Next Game is Friday night, May 18th, at Chaska Athletic Park against the Chaska Cubs for a 7:30 start.

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