KINSTON, N.C. (May 16, 2026) –The Down East Bird Dawgs squandered a three-run lead Friday night, allowing the New Jersey Jackals to score eight runs in a stunning fourth-inning rally on the way to a 16-9 victory at Historic Grainger Stadium, setting up a rubber match Sunday afternoon.

Down East grabbed an early 1-0 lead when Christian Adams hit into a run-scoring double play in the first inning.

New Jersey answered with two runs in both the second and third innings to take a 4-1 advantage before the Bird Dawgs responded with an offensive explosion of their own. Adams ripped a two-RBI double, Yeniel Laboy followed with a two-run homer, Kalae Harrison tripled in a run, and Tyler Blaum added an RBI single to cap a six-run third and send Down East ahead 7-4.

The lead evaporated in the fourth as the Jackals sent 12 batters to the plate and scored eight runs to flip the scoreboard to 9-7.

New Jersey tacked on one more in the fifth and three in the eighth to stretch the final to 16-7 before Jacob Corson and Lyle Miller-Green each scored on wild pitches in the bottom of the eighth to set the final at 16-9.

Drew Henderson (0-1) took the loss, allowing seven earned runs on nine hits over 3⅓ innings with five strikeouts and one walk.

Dylan Castaneda started for New Jersey but recorded just one out, walking two and hitting a batter before exiting. Agnel Miranda (1-0) earned the win with three innings of relief, allowing six runs — just two earned — with two strikeouts.

The Bird Dawgs (3-5) and Jackals (5-3) meet in the rubber match Sunday, May 17, at 4 p.m. at Historic Grainger Stadium.