The Junction City Brigade dropped their season opener when they lost to the Topeka Golden Giants 8-3 at Rathert Stadium Friday night.

Brigade coach Shane Sieben noted it’s always kind of hard in the first game. “You always want to get an exhibition game or two under your belts to get ready and we didn’t get that this year. Not going to make excuses, we’ve got to be ready to go. When they’re in game six and we’re in game one that makes it a little bit tough. We were a little behind there, the timing wasn’t there for the first few innings, really didn’t take very many good swings. By the time we took good swings we had dug too much of a hole.”

The Golden Giants improved to 5-1 with the win.

The Brigade utilized three pitchers in the game, with J.J. Benes getting the start.  Justin Hirsch and Pete Ruiz also saw time on the mound.  Ruiz is a former Junction City Blue Jay pitcher. He entered with one out in the seventh inning and finished the game for the Brigade. He walked four, gave up three hits, and struck out three during his time in the contest.

Brigade officials estimated the opening night crowd at 800 fans.

The two teams are scheduled to play again at 7 p.m. Saturday at Rathert Stadium.