The Portland Lions got off to a strong start in defense of their championship going 4-2 to start the season highlighted by Shawn Roberts’ no-hitter on Saturday vs. the Rapid City Outlaws. It was the first no-hitter in Lions’ history and the second no-hitter in Classic Baseball Union history.

Roberts was absolutely unhittable in limiting the very potent Rapid City offense to just two baserunners the entire game on a walk to 1B Don Vogel in the 2nd inning and an error on SS Fernando Montero. Roberts needed just 90 pitches to complete the game throwing 60 of them for strikes.

“I was ahead in the count all day and I had my good stuff going today. It definitely helps to have this defense behind me too. Those guys save a lot of hits out there”, Roberts said.

The Portland defense features Robinson award winners at 3B, CF, and RF in Harrison Swain, Pepe Moya, and Felix Moran, as well as solid up the middle defense with SS Montero and 2B Dany Carrier.

“Having the spacious outfield at Washington Park coupled with those guys in the outfield that can track balls down really helped me get this no hitter. Pepe and Felix both saved hits on a couple of hard shots out there”, Roberts said.

The Portland offense certainly helped matters, too. They put up 6 runs in the first capped by 1B Alfredo Garcia’s grand slam, and then put up another 3 runs in the 2nd giving Roberts a comfortable 9-0 lead.

“Having 9 runs to work with really helped. It allowed me to settle down, not worry, and just go out there and throw strikes.  It was the main reason I was ahead of the hitters all day.”

Roberts seems to have a knack for the spotlight and for winning. During the 2010 season, Roberts started 20 straight games for the Lions without being defeated, the CBU record.  On his career, he is 11-3 and prior to his 2010 call up, was 7-1 in his AAA career. In 36 starts in the CBU and AAA, Roberts is a remarkable 18-4.

“Ive had a lot of good talent around me. Having the bullpens behind me and the defense around me has helped”, Roberts said.

Portland managed to sweep the series from Rapid City after losing 2 of 3 from the Mexican Hat Wild Burros and started defense of their title in the first week going 4-2.

1B Henry Swanson, newly signed by the Lions in the offseason, doubled, tripled, and drove in 3 runs in his first 5 games as a Lion. The Lions plan to platoon Swanson  at 1B with Alfredo Garcia this season. They are hoping he gives the offense extra power. His .412 SLG the first week should improve and greatly enhance the Lions’ offense with added pop out of the 5th hole. His penchant for taking walks will also help Felix Moran’s RBI totals.  With both Swain and Swanson hitting before him, Moran should have a lot of RBI opportunities.

The other new additions to the Lions’ roster this year is backup 2B Jamey Browne, who was drafted and developed in the minor league system, and C Henry Lush, whom the Lions signed as a minor league free agent in 2010. Also new is LF Cesar Garcia, who made the team with a solid spring training, bypassing both AA and AAA to make the major league team out of the A league.