FORT PIERCE, Fla. – Taras Letnaunchyn's return to the mound for the first time since 2012 was a roaring success. The junior limited Massachusetts Maritime to seven hits over 7.1 innings, paving the way for the Blue Jays' 7-1 season-opening victory Saturday night. Sean Jones carried the load offensively going 3-for-5 with a double and three runs batted in.

Letnaunchyn has flourished in Florida during his career. Two seasons ago, as a freshman, he made two appearances and allowed no runs and one hit over 8.2 innings, including his first start, in which he came one out away from tossing a no-hitter.

Saturday's results were just as impressive. Letnaunchyn gave up five hits over the first seven innings as the Blue Jays (1-0) built a 5-0 lead. He lasted into the eighth before the Buccaneers forced their only run of the game across the plate.

Nick Gulla relieved Letnaunchyn, sitting down the only two batters he faced. Jones worked the ninth, striking out one.

Coach Cliff Smith spoke of Letnaunchyn's precision and command in the preseason and the Boyertown native affirmed those words. He did not walk a batter –nor did Gulla or Jones– and struck out a pair.

Before he was on the mound putting the finishing touches of Elizabethtown's second win in a season opener in the last three seasons, Jones got things done with his bat. He drove in runs in the second and ninth innings, as the Jays hung a pair of runs on the board in the second, seventh and ninth frames.

Up at the top of the order, Kyle Gable produced a pair of hits and runs, with Tyler Weary scoring twice as well.

Aaron Rahn and Colton King drove in a run apiece, both on sacrifice flies. Rahn's came in the sixth, with King's following in the seventh.

Elizabethtown is back at it tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. against No. 21/24 Misericordia.