The Tradewater Pirates opened the 2011 season in winning fashion, breaking open a tie game in the 7th with three runs, then added two more in the 8th, winning going away, by the count of 8-3.  The Bucs rode the solid pitching of starter Russ Gilliam, who got late help from Dylan Delaune, as the Pirates kept pressure on Owensboro all night with aggressive baserunning and classic small- ball tactics. The five run explosion beginning in the seventh featured several Oiler miscues, as the Pirates applied basepath pressure. JB Sapienza and Tony Becerra came up big at the right time for Tradewater, then saw a host of mates produce at the right times.  Owensboro tried a combination of pitchers, but Tradewater came through big in the late innings.  The Buccos and Oilers do battle at Riverside Park again Saturday, beginning at 7pm, on Carhartt Night.