OLD ORCHARD BEACH — For the first time since 1988 professional baseball was back at The Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach on Wednesday night ”“ and the new team to call the historic park home got off to a strong start.

The Old Orchard Beach Surge jumped out a 6-1 lead through four innings and went to celebrate a 13-3 victory over the visiting Watertown Bucks in North Country Baseball League action.

“Very nice to get a win. The gentlemen played very well and I’m very proud of them,” said Surge Manager Scott “Nate” Nathanson.

The Surge got a strong performance from starting pitcher Eddie Medina, who went 5 1/3 innings, allowing just two runs on four hits and striking out seven.

“I felt pretty good. (I had) a lot of energy coming into the game,” said Medina.

Medina used some of that adrenaline to overcome a minor injury.

“Truthfully, I’ve been at less than 100 percent physically. I’ve been battling a little bit of a forearm strain ”¦ but for these guys in the locker room, I will go out there any day less than 100 percent and fight for them,” said Medina. “You see what they did out there for me today ”¦ I just wanted to go out there and battle for them and I knew they would do the same thing for me. Those guys would run through a brick wall for me and I’m going to go out there every time and do the same for them.”

Nathanson was happy with his starter’s performance.

“He pitched a beautiful game,” said Nathanson.

Surge outfielder Tucker White got the OOB offense going early as he smashed a ball off the left field wall in the bottom of the first inning.

“It felt good,” said White on his first-inning double.

White, who played at the University of Southern Maine, came around to score in the first and finished the game with two hits ”“ he was also hit by two pitches ”“ and scored four runs in the game.

“Incredible. He’s hitting every ball, he’s squaring it up and he’s in the zone right now,” said Nathanson of White.

Jacob Fabry also had a strong night at the plate for the Surge as he went 3-for-5 with three RBIs.

“We continue to hit the ball. It’s a nine-man lineup and everyone is hitting the ball,” said Nathanson.

Nathanson got a strong performance from his bullpen as Ron Schreurs and James Scagnelli closed the door.

The Surge manager believes Schreurs will be getting plenty of looks from the next level.

“Ronny Schreurs is legit. I don’t expect him to stay here too long. He’s really throwing the ball beautifully,” said Nathanson.

One thing that helped all three Surge pitchers was an extremely solid defense, including an incredible play in the ninth by third baseman Jordan Patton, who made a diving stop and threw out a runner.

“I put (Patton) in for the last inning for defensive purposes and he made me look like a genius because he came up with a great play,” said Nathanson.

Watertown manager Kelly Stinnett, who spent 14 years playing in Major League Baseball, was impressed with The Ballpark in his first trip to OOB.

“First time here ”¦ I think it’s a great place to play. It’s a great stadium, it’s just too bad we came up on the short end of the stick tonight,” said Stinnett.

The former MLB catcher is enjoying his time coaching young minor league players.

“It’s enjoyable because you start seeing them make strides,” said Stinnett. “Most of these guys are either falling through the cracks or lacking a little bit or just haven’t received the proper instruction, so you know hopefully me, or a couple of the guys around, can help them get seen and make their game a whole lot better.”

One lesson Stinnett stressed to his players following Wednesday night’s loss was how to deal with losing and the ability to move on quickly.

“It’s pro ball. That’s the one thing we talked about a little bit after the game. You go to sleep tonight, you turn the music on and forget it and get ready for tomorrow. You have to have a short memory because it’s every day,” said Stinnett.

The Surge, which improved to 2-1 with the win, will host the Bucks tonight at 7 p.m. at The Ballpark. There will be a fireworks show after the game. Tickets are $5 and kids 7-and-under are free.

NOTE: For more on opening night at The Ballpark, check out the Journal Tribune Sunday edition.

— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at pmcdonald@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 322. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.