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Jacks Fall in Lengthy Pitching Duel

June 12, 2011 - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


Matt Munson shines on the mound but Jacks come up just short in extras

Pump Jacks fans saw their first true pitching battle of the 2011 season Saturday night. And unfortunately it didn't finish in the Jacks favor.

The Jacks and Cane Cutters went back and forth in a duel on the mound that lasted 10 innings, the first extra innings game for the Jacks this season.

Despite several opportunities, the Jacks fell in the end 1-0 to split the two game series with the Cane Cutters.

It was obvious from the start that tonight was going to be a battle.

Cane Cutters starter Jason Greenleaf held the Pump Jacks without a hit until the bottom of the sixth. Jacks starter Matt Munson responded with five scoreless innings of his own, striking out eight and allowing only four hits. Munson has yet to allow a run in 10 innings pitched this summer.

James Hudelson picked up right where Munson left off in the sixth, tossing three and a third innings in relief. Hudelson gave up one hit while striking out three.

The Pump Jacks pitching staff was excellent at getting out of jams tonight, stranding 12 Cane Cutters on base. On the contrary, the Jacks had their fair share of opportunities as well, leaving 10 on the bags.

Tyler Giannonatti came on in relief for the second straight night with runners on first and second, allowed another single to load the bases and retired Ryan Downing on a sharply hit groundball to first baseman Michael Sullivan.

Jason Jester came on in the 10th following a triple off of Giannonatti by Nick Jones to lead of the inning for the Cane Cutters. Jester fielded a bunt on a squeeze attempt by Brett Thornell and flipped the ball to the

Pump Jacks newest player, Scott Kalush, to retire the runner at home and save the go-ahead run, for the moment. The Cane Cutters knocked in the first run of the game in the form of an RBI single by Jacob Derouen.

But the Jacks didn't go down without a fight.

Kirby Pellant belted a one-out single in the bottom of the 10th, followed by a Ty Marlow walk and it appeared that the Jacks were back in it. John Michael Twichell took the box and smashed a grounder through the left side but hit an advancing Pellant on a strange hop, resulting in the second out of the inning and eventually the Jacks loss.

A junior at UC Davis, Kalush brings experience to a young group of Jacks catchers and it showed in his first appearance. Along with the tag out at home, Kalush gunned down a Cane Cutter with ease in the fourth inning and showed poise while getting his first work with the Jacks pitching staff.

Twichell led the Jacks offensive attack with a pair of singles. Marlow ended Greenleaf's no-hitter with a single in the sixth. Seth Granger led off the ninth with a single, raising spirits in historic Driller Park. He smashed a deep fly ball to left center that was snagged by Jones to end the game.

The Jacks go for revenge Sunday as they face off with the Cane Cutters again, this time in Lafayette.

To follow all the news and to watch every pitch of the 2011 season, visit the Pump Jacks official web site at www.pumpjacksbaseball.com. Interact with other Pump Jacks fans and enjoy special promotions and polls by visiting the Pump Jacks on Facebook and Twitter.



Texas Collegiate League Stories from June 12, 2011


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