SL1 Jackson Generals

SpongeBob and Girl Scouts and Fireworks, Oh, My! A Week Filled with Fun at Pringles Park

May 4, 2005 - Southern League (SL1)
Jackson Generals News Release


Pringles Park welcomes back the Diamond Jaxx from a successful road trip. The Diamond Jaxx are hoping to keep their momentum moving forward as they host the Mobile BayBears on Friday May 6 and Saturday May 7. With a long overdue day off on Sunday, the Diamond Jaxx welcome to town their cross-state rivals the Tennessee Smokies for a four game series beginning on Monday, May 9. The promotional line-up is action packed for the third homestand of the season.

On Friday night, May 6, Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants will be greeting fans from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM, brought to you by Charter Media. Local Girl Scout Troops will be in attendance with a special parade around the field and recognition ceremony for their cookie brigade (top cookie sellers) between the first and second game. Friday night is another Reading Program when area school kids can turn in their completed Ribbee's Reading Program bookmarks to the box office for a FREE General Admission ticket. Friday night is a double-header with an official start time of 6:05 PM. The Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest, free to all fans, will begin before the gates open at 4:00 PM.

On Saturday, May 7th, fans can meet the Diamond Jaxx on the field during a pre-game "Meet the Players Autograph and Photograph Session." Saturday night is also KOOL 103 FM's Halfway to Halloween Night. All fans are encouraged to dust off their best Halloween outfits to wear during the game for special KOOL 103 and Diamond Jaxx prize packs. This weekend's festivities conclude with a spectacular post-game fireworks show, sponsored by WBBJ. Saturday has a normal start time of 6:35 PM.

After a much needed day off, Monday May 9 starts up the fun again at the park. College students receive a FREE general admission ticket with a valid college ID. Monday also has the NEW promotion, Buds for a Buck. All night 12 oz draft beer will be $1. Game time is 6:35 PM.

Tuesday May 10 is the traditional 2 for Tuesday. Tickets and select concession items are two for the price of one. Tuesday is also Mexican Mothers Day at Pringles Park. Various prizes will be given away to special mothers in attendance. Game time is set for 6:35 PM.

Wednesday May 11 is Wrigley Wednesday. Business persons are encouraged to come to the game and will receive a FREE general admission ticket when presenting a business card at the box office window. Fans will also receive a FREE general admission ticket if Chicago Cubs apparel is visibly worn. May 11 is also the second school day at Pringles Park. Children are encouraged to come to the park with their schoolmates and enjoy great minor league baseball. Special game time is 11:05 AM.

Thirsty Thursday, on May 12th, will close out the third homestand of the season. On Thirsty Thursday, fans can buy a fountain drink or draft beer and receive the second one FREE of charge. Game time for Thursday night is 6:35 PM.

Tickets to all of the games are still available by calling the Pringles Park box office at (731) 988-5299. Season tickets, Family Four Packs, and Flex 10-Game Mini-Plans are also still available for the 2005 season. Please call (731) 988-5299 or log on to our website at www.diamondjaxx.com for more information.

--------------------------------------------------

*Principal Family Fun Fest Returns to Pringles Park On Friday, May 6th*

Fans should plan to come early when the Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest makes a stop at Pringles Park on Friday, May 6th as the Diamond Jaxx take on the Mobile BayBears. Created and produced by Entertainment & Sports International (ESI), the 4,000 square foot Principal Family Fun Fest will be set-up just outside the main gates and will be open beginning at 4:00 PM. Friday, May 6th is a double-header for the Diamond Jaxx with a special game time of 6:05 PM.

The Principal Family Fun Fest is an unprecedented, and completely free, celebration of baseball which will be visiting 56 different minor league baseball ballparks during the 2005 season. It is the most extensive traveling baseball festival in history and features more than 20 baseball themed attractions including a minor league baseball museum, the Xbox Home Run Derby video game trailer, and a fan festival midway with batting and pitching cages, bungee runs, a huge side-by-side giant slide, baseball bounce houses, and lots more interactive fun for baseball fans of all ages. There's even an exhibit where fans can put themselves on a free souvenir Topps Baseball Card. To learn more about the Principal Family Fun Fest, go to www.principal.com/funfest.

Tickets are still available for this game, as well as season ticket packages, mini-plans, group outings, and promotional opportunities. For more information, call the Diamond Jaxx box office at (731) 988-5299 or log on to our website at www.diamondjaxx.com.

--------------------------------------------------

*Matt Murton and Rich Hill Selected as BC Powder Hitter and Pitcher of the Week*

Two West Tenn Diamond Jaxx players have been honored by the Southern League as the BC Powder Hitter and Pitcher of the Week. Outfielder Matt Murton captured the BC Powder Hitter of the Week honors for the week of April 18-24. During the week, Murton was batting .538 and had multiple hits in six of the seven games played against the Tennessee Smokies and Huntsville Stars. Murton started off the week with two consecutive three-hit games at Tennessee, including a two-homer, three-RBI effort on April 18.

As of May 3, 2005, the 23-year-old former Georgia Tech star currently ranks first in all of Minor League Baseball in batting average (.418) and first in hits (41) in the Southern League.

Left-hander Rich Hill was named the BC Powder Pitcher of the Week for April 25-May 1. Hill allowed only three hits in 14 innings of work during the week. On April 25 against Montgomery, Hill picked up his first win of the season, pitching seven innings, allowing one earned run, while striking out 14. The lefty was even more dominant when he took the mound April 30 at Trustmark Park in Pearl, MS. Hill threw a no-hitter through seven innings, but was removed from the game when he reached 100 pitches. The 25-year-old struck out 12 batters, bringing his total for the week to a whopping 26 strikeouts, but did not factor in the decision in a 2-1 Diamond Jaxx loss.

Hill currently leads the Southern League in strikeouts with 43 on the season, a mark which is second in all of Minor League Baseball.

The Diamond Jaxx will surely earn more BC Powder Hitter and Pitcher of the Week Honors as the 2005 season progresses. As a team, the Diamond Jaxx are leading the Southern Leage in batting average (.303), runs (141), and stolen bases (39). The team ERA is second best in the Southern League at just 3.29.

To see your Diamond Jaxx in action, call the Pringles Park box office at (731) 988-5299. Season tickets, Family Four Packs, and Flex 10-Game Mini-Plans are also still available for the 2005 season. Please call (731) 988-5299 or log on to our website at www.diamondjaxx.com for more information.

--------------------------------------------------

*Diamond Jaxx Roster Changes Include McGlinchy and Bacon Being Called Up to Iowa*

The West Tenn Diamond Jaxx have been able to consistently win despite an ever-changing roster. Two Diamond Jaxx, Kevin McGlinchy and Dwaine Bacon, have been called up to AAA-Iowa and pitcher Rocky Cherry had his season cut short due to injury. LHP Jon Connolly has also been hampered with injuries and is currently on the disabled list.

In response to these roster moves, RHP Talley Haines, RHP Jared Hoerman, and C Casey Kopitzke have joined the Diamond Jaxx roster. Haines, who played his college ball at Freed-Hardeman University, signed with the Chicago Cubs organization as a free agent in 2005 and spent last season with the Syracuse SkyChiefs, the AAA-Affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Hoerman also signed with the Cubs in 2005 and played for the San Antonio Missions and Tacoma Rainiers in 2004. Kopitzke returns to West Tennessee after being called up from extended spring training.

On May 3rd, Matt Craig was placed back on the active roster after serving his 15-game suspension.

The active roster remains at 24.

To see your Diamond Jaxx in action, call the Pringles Park box office at (731) 988-5299. Season tickets, Family Four Packs, and Flex 10-Game Mini-Plans are also still available for the 2005 season. Please call (731) 988-5299 or log on to our website at www.diamondjaxx.com for more information.

--------------------------------------------------

*Diamond Jaxx Continue Red Hot Start to 2005 Season*

After a successful 5-2 roadtrip, on April 22nd, the Diamond Jaxx opened up a six game homestand with a convincing 9-4 win over the Huntsville Stars before a crowd of 2,214 fans at Pringles Park. Carmen Pignatiello picked up the win in relief of starter Raul Valdez, who allowed two runs on three hits in 3 2/3 innings of work. Pignatiello gave up two runs on four hits in 3 2/3 innings of work. Casey McGehee had two hits and three RBI's to pace the Diamond Jaxx twelve hit attack. Adam Greenberg and Matt Murton had two hits each to back McGehee's performance.

On April 23rd, the Stars scored two runs in the fifth inning to break a 3-3 tie as they went on to defeat the Diamond Jaxx 5-3. Each team scored three runs in the first inning. Matt Murton hit a two-out solo home run off Dana Eveland. The Diamond Jaxx also got a RBI double from Casey McGehee and a RBI single by Buck Coats. On April 24th, the fans at Pringles Park were treated to a red-hot pitchers duel as the Diamond Jaxx came away with a 2-1 win over the Stars. Diamond Jaxx righty Ricky Nolasco gave up one run on four hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. The Diamond Jaxx took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a RBI double by Brandon Sing. West Tenn took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning when Felix Pie hit a seeing eye single just past Huntsville1st baseman John Vandenberg, scoring Paul O'Toole with the go-ahead run. Huntsville had two on with two outs in the ninth inning off Kevin McGlinchy. Enrique Cruz hit a deep drive to left field, sending Matt Murton up against the wall. Murton leaped in the air to make the catch, giving McGlinchy his second save of the season, before he was called up to triple A Iowa.

On April 25th, the Diamond Jaxx defeated the Montgomery Biscuits 6-2 in the first game of a three game series, before a crowd of 781 fans at Pringles Park. Left-hander Rich Hill dominated the Biscuits for seven innings as the lefty allowed just one run on three hits while striking out a season high fourteen batters. While the Biscuits were struggling to get hits, the Diamond Jaxx offense banged out fourteen hits. Felix Pie had three hits and two RBI's and Adam Greenberg homered to pace the Diamond Jaxx offense. Matt Murton, Brandon Sing, Jose Reyes and Dwaine Bacon contributed with two hits each.

The Diamond Jaxx won their third straight game on April 26th, as they defeated the Montgomery Biscuits 5-3 before a Two for Tuesday crowd of just 864 fans. The Diamond Jaxx scored three runs in the second inning off starter and losing pitcher Jon Switzer. Buck Coats smacked a one-out double and scored on a RBI single by Ryan Theriot. It would be the first of three RBI's for the Diamond Jaxx second baseman. After Theriot stole second base, Casey Kopitzke drove him home with a single to center. Kopitzke took second base on the throw home and scored on a two out RBI single by Jemel Spearman, giving the Diamond Jaxx a 3-0 lead. The Diamond Jaxx made it 4-0 in the third inning on a one out RBI single by Coats. Theriot gave the Diamond Jaxx a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth with a RBI double. The Diamond Jaxx starter and winning pitcher was Carmen Pignatiello. Kevin McGlinchy retired the side in order in the ninth inning to pick up his third save of the season.

The Diamond Jaxx concluded their six game homestand by defeating the Biscuits on April 27th 7-2. Raul Valdez threw six shutout innings to give the Diamond Jaxx their fourth straight win. Valdez gave up four hits while striking out seven as the Diamond Jaxx improved their career record against Montgomery at Pringles Park to 14-1. Felix Pie went 3-4 with a homer while Dwaine Bacon had two hits to pace the Diamond Jaxx nine hit attack. Biscuits starter Brian Lockwood took the loss, giving up five runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings of work.

On April 28th, the Diamond Jaxx began a seven-day road trip. Jose Reyes slapped a two out single to right, driving home Buck Coats with the go-ahead run in the 11th inning as the Diamond Jaxx defeated the Mississippi Braves 5-4. With the Diamond Jaxx down 4-3 in the ninth inning, Coats tied the game at four when he drove in Adam Greenberg with a sacrifice fly. Federico Baez pitched three scoreless innings including the ninth and tenth innings to pick up the win. Mississippi had runners at first and second with one out in the bottom of the 11th inning when Yorkin Ferreras came in and slammed the door shut on a potential Braves comeback, earning his first save of the season. Six Diamond Jaxx players had at least two hits in the game. Reyes and Coats drove in two runs each to pace the Diamond Jaxx offense.

On April 29th, the Diamond Jaxx blanked the Braves 2-0 before a crowd of 4,526 fans in Pearl, MS. Ricky Nolasco pitched seven strong innings to pick up the win. The Diamond Jaxx right-hander gave up five hits, walked one and struckout nine over seven innings of work. Former Freed-Hardeman University product Talley Haines retired the final two batters to pick up his first save of the season in his Diamond Jaxx debut. Ryan Theriot gave the Diamond Jaxx a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning with a RBI single to right scoring Matt Murton. Casey McGehee gave the Diamond Jaxx an insurance run with a solo home run in the eighth inning.

On April 30th, the Braves hit a one out, two run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning, lifting the Braves over the Diamond Jaxx 2-1. West Tenn took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a RBI single by Matt Murton. They held on to the lead until the bottom of the ninth when McCann hit a two run homer off of Yorkin Ferraras.

The Diamond Jaxx doubled up the Braves 4-2 on May 1st in front of 4,578 fans at Trustmark Park. The Diamond Jaxx took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Buck Coats singled to center field driving home Matt Murton. After the Braves tied it up 1-1 in the seventh inning, the Diamond Jaxx quickly recaptured the lead for good with 3 runs in the top of the eighth inning. With one out in the inning, Dwaine Bacon walked, then stole second, and advanced to third on a ground out by Ryan Theriot. With Bacon on third, Braves pitcher Matt Wright walked Murton then gave up a two-RBI double to Casey McGehee. McGehee then scored following a single to right field by Coats, his second hit of the night. Andrew Shipman picked up the win for the Diamond Jaxx. Shipman worked 1.0 innings, giving up 2 hits and 1 run while striking out 1. Talley Haines earned his second save of the season allowing no hits and no runs in one inning of work.

On May 2nd, Brandon Sing hit a three run homer in the seventh inning to put the Diamond Jaxx in front as they defeated the Birmingham Barons 4-3 at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. The Diamond Jaxx took a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning when Felix Pie hit his fourth home run of the season. Birmingham came back with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 2-1 lead. The Diamond Jaxx opened the seventh inning with back to back singles from Matt Murton and Casey McGehee before Sing unloaded his fifth home run over the left field wall, just inside the foul pole, giving the Jaxx a 4-2 lead. Jonathan Aceves stroked a run scoring single in the bottom of the seventh off starter and winning pitcher Raul Valdez to pull the Barons to within a run. Jared Hoerman came on and got the Diamond Jaxx out of trouble in the seventh. Yorkin Ferreras pitched two perfect innings in relief to nail down his second save of the season.

On May 3rd, the middle game of the three game series, the Diamond Jaxx outslugged the Barons 9-5. With the Diamond Jaxx trailing Birmingham 3-0 after five innings, the Diamond Jaxx took the lead for good in the sixth inning as they sent ten men to the plate in route to a five run sixth inning to take a 5-3 lead. Casey McGehee had a two run double to highlight the uprising. It was one of four hits for the third baseman. West Tenn struck for three more runs in the seventh inning to make it an 8-3 game. Jose Reyes had a RBI groundout while Paul O'Toole smacked a two run double. O'Toole drove in his third run of the night when he drew a bases loaded walk in the ninth inning, giving the Diamond Jaxx a 9-5 lead. Jae-kuk Ryu pitched the first five innings to pick up the win for the Diamond Jaxx, Ryu gave up three runs on seven hits. All of Ryu's runs were allowed in the first two innings.

The Diamond Jaxx will finish the roadtrip with the wrap up of the series in Birmingham today. They have an off day tomorrow before returning to Pringles Park for a double header against the BayBears on Friday.

Check out the Jackson Generals Statistics



Southern League Stories from May 4, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central