LAKEWOOD, NJ - Luke Leftwich struck out a career high 11 hitters over six innings of one run baseball as Lakewood topped Greenville 5-1 in the first game of their four-game series on Friday night at FirstEnergy Park.

Leftwich, who gave up three hits and improved to 1-1 on the year, struck out the side in his final inning of work. The win puts the BlueClaws at 5-16 and Greenville falls to 10-11 on the year.

The BlueClaws jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning, scoring on RBI singles by Wilson Garcia and Jiandido Tromp. Lakewood added a run in the third on an RBI single by Tromp and led 3-0.

Greenville scored in the fourth on an RBI single by Luis Alexander Basabe, though Jiandido Tromp threw Josh Ockinney out at the plate to prevent a second run from scoring.

Lakewood got a run in the sixth off Jake Cosart, brother of former BlueClaws pitcher Jarred Cosart, on an RBI double by Samuel Hiciano to drive in Jan Hernandez. The BlueClaws added one more run in the seventh on an RBI single by Wilson Garcia to go up 5-1.

Tromp went 3-4 while Emmanuel Marrero, Josh Tobas, and Wilson Garcia all had two hits for the BlueClaws.

The teams continue their series on Saturday at 4:05. RHP Harold Arauz (1-2) starts for Lakewood against RHP Anderson Espinoza (1-1).

- BlueClaws -