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APBL NEWCOMERS PT. JERSEY BLANK ST. JOHN’S
ATKINS PITCHES SHUTOUT AS JERSEY CITY OUTFIT COMPLETES BEST WIN OF INAUGURAL APBL SEASON

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (May 17, 1878) - Port Jersey began their home series against St. John’s on Friday with St. John’s having lost all three of their games at American to start the week. The hosts hoped to take advantage of the champions’ poor form, and they did just that:

The result was the most impressive win by Pt. Jersey so far in their first A.P.B.L. season, as not only was it a Shutout victory but it was a Shutout against what has historically been the most highly-regarded offensive unit in the sport.

The man of the hour for Pt. Jersey was P Jonathan Atkins, who joined the team for A.P.B.L. play after five seasons in the Philadelphia City League with Merion B.C.C.:

• PtJ P Jonathan Atkins: CG SHO (3-1, 1.64), 6 HA, 0 BB, 1 K

Just four St. John’s batsmen took hits off Atkins: LF Jonathan Evans & 1B Konrad Jensen had two each, while 2B Cletus Cannon (3B) & SS George Pugatch finished with one each.

The 36-year-old Atkins is off to a great start considering his move up from the P.C.B.L. to an A.P.B.L. expansion team. He’s 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA through 44 innings of work as Pt. Jersey’s #2.

The result left both teams at 6-4 and tied for third in the Colonial Conference. After losing their opener 15-2, Shamrock has gone 8-1 over their last nine games and tops the standings at 8-2.