PATERSON, N.J. (August 13, 2026) – The Down East Bird Dawgs could not overcome a nine-run deficit Thursday night, falling 12-2 to the New Jersey Jackals at Hinchliffe Stadium as Zac Flontek provided the lone highlight by tying the franchise record with six strikeouts in relief, dropping Down East to 36-45 heading into the final leg of their two-week road trip in Brockton.

Down East never found their footing as New Jersey plated three runs in the first, three more in the fourth, and three more in the fifth — highlighted by three RBI from Isaac Bellony — to take a commanding 9-0 lead before the Bird Dawgs could respond.

Stephen DiTomaso and Colby Backus each drove in runs in the eighth to make it 9-2, but the Jackals added three more in the bottom half to close out the 12-2 final.

Jace Miner (1-4) took the loss, allowing six runs — four earned — with six walks and two strikeouts before Flontek came on in relief and put together one of the most dominant outings by a Bird Dawgs reliever this season, tying the franchise record with six strikeouts.

Jorhan Laboy (1-0) was brilliant in his professional debut for New Jersey, tossing seven shutout innings on five hits with four strikeouts and no walks.

The Bird Dawgs (36-45) close out their two-week road trip Friday, August 14, at 7 p.m. ET against the Brockton Rox at Campanelli Stadium.