The route of about five hours by bus between Joliet, Illinois, and Evansville, Indiana, was bound to be more pleasant, Thursday, for the Capitales of Quebec, consequence of a victory obtained at the beginning of the day by the score of 6 at 3.

Thus, after two first series won abroad in the Frontier League of baseball, the Capitals present an interesting record of 4-2. The long trip of nine games in 10 days in the United States to start the season will now conclude, from Friday to Sunday, with three games against the Otters, in Evansville. After that, it will be the grand local opening, Tuesday, May 24, at Stade Canac.

“The objective before leaving was to win the three series, commented manager Patrick Scalabrini, showing his satisfaction. We are two-thirds of the way there and we still hope to come back with a 6-3 or better record. We must first complete the work in Evansville before returning home, but we are certainly looking forward to May 24 and representing the Capitals at home. We are excited.”

Lacroix in great shape

In Thursday's win against the Joliet Slammers, Quebecer Jonathan Lacroix notably stood out with four hits in five appearances, obtaining his eighth and ninth RBI of the season. It is he who has dominated the Capitals in this regard since the start of the campaign. Lacroix also took advantage of the game to raise his batting average to .360 (9 for 25).

“I am very happy for Jonathan, we are entitled to the 2022 version of the player, noted Scalabrini, about the 25-year-old center fielder, who was inserted in fifth place in the offensive formation. Honestly, he's not the same guy as last year [with Team Quebec]. He came to camp mentally ready and physically stronger. He's a big part of our team, a little more than we expected, honestly. I feel he is more serious in his approach and he is a player who contributes in key moments.

Paid training

Lacroix, a former 12th-round pick of the Houston Astros in the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft, was equally enthusiastic following Thursday's game.

“I see the ball well, he agreed, he who trained with his old friend Abraham Toro, of the Seattle Mariners, during the offseason. Last year, I didn't have the season I wanted and I worked hard this winter. It pays! I know my role in the team and I don't want to try to do too much either. So far, so good.”

Pitcher Michael Austin (1-0) also did very well against the Slammers on Thursday, allowing only one run in six innings of work. Perfect in the ninth inning, reliever Samuel Adames made his second save of the season.

- Elsewhere in the Frontier League, the Aigles de Trois-Rivières (2-4) lost a game shortened to five innings due to rain by the score of 5 to 2, Thursday in Illinois, against the Grizzlies. The Ottawa Titans (4-2) beat the Windy City ThunderBolts 13-3.