Pump Jacks Add Depth to Begin Second Half of Season

Published on July 7, 2011 under Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


Having clinched a playoff spot for the fourth straight season, it is safe to say that the Pump Jacks are familiar with the Texas Collegiate League post-season.

On Wednesday, the Jacks announced the return of a reliever that has some TCL playoff experience as well.

Joining the Pump Jacks for a second straight season, Andy Steinmetz will add yet another strong arm to the Jacks bullpen. Stephen F. Austin infielder Zach Benson will also bring experience to the Jacks infield for the second half of the 2011 season.

Steinmetz spent last summer in East Texas as a staple in the Jacks bullpen tossing 35.1 innings, mostly in relief. He allowed only 13 earned runs on 20 hits, holding TCL opponents to a .216 batting average and striking out 32.

He also started two games last season, one of which came in Game Three of the 2010 Divisional Series that sent the Pump Jacks to their first appearance in the TCL Championships. Steinmetz tossed eight strong innings allowing only three hits and striking out three. He retired 12 straight batters from the second through the fifth innings to secure the Jacks spot in the title series.

This summer will mark the fourth time that Steinmetz will be under head coach Ben Taylor ‚¬â„¢s direction. He spent his first two collegiate seasons at Scottsdale Community College. As a freshman, he went 1-1 with a 2.04 ERA in 35.1 innings of work. He struck out 27 and allowed only 22 hits, helping lead the Fighting Artichokes to a second-place finish in the 2009 NJCAA Division II World Series. Steinmetz posted three wins and struck out 59 in 12 appearances in his final season at Scottsdale.

Steinmetz spent his junior campaign at the University of Central Arkansas where he led the team with a 3.54 ERA. He posted one win and a save in 53.1 innings of work. He struck out 42 and held batters to a .275 average.

Benson will bring experience to a seemingly young, but talented, Pump Jacks infield. Benson spent his junior season at SFA where he is teammates with current Pump Jacks Hunter Dozier and Brett Higginbotham.

However his SFA teammates are not his only ties to the Pump Jacks. Benson spent his first two seasons at San Jacinto College where he was teammates with former Pump Jack ace and current Boston Red Sox prospect, Miguel Pena.

Benson hit an impressive .373 in his freshman season with the Gators, knocking in 22 runs and blasting three home runs. He saw significantly more playing time his sophomore campaign, hitting .287 in 53 games with 26 RBI on five triples, seven doubles and a pair of long balls. Benson was a crucial part in San Jacinto reaching the title game of the 2010 Junior College World Series, driving in three runs in the semi-final game.

A Bay City native, Benson picked up all-district and all-area honors in 2006 and 2008 with an all-state nod in 2008 for Bay City High School.

The Jacks take on the Brazos Valley Bombers tonight in Bryan in the finale of a two-game set.

The Jacks will wrap up Independence Day week on Friday, July 8, with the team ‚¬â„¢s third Fireworks Friday of the season. A spectacular post-game fireworks show will follow the Coppell Copperheads ‚¬â„¢ first visit to historic Driller Park. The evening ‚¬â„¢s celebration is presented by Jim Tachias of Wells Fargo Financial Advisors and KLTV News.

On Saturday, the Jacks will hold an Autographed Memorabilia Giveaway. Merchandise signed by past and present Pump Jacks ‚¬" including some players who have already turned pro ‚¬" will be given away throughout the evening, all through a free drawing.

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