Pump Jacks Leap to #7 in Latest National Rankings

Published on July 3, 2012 under Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


Last summer, the East Texas Pump Jacks were ranked as high as #8 in the nation on their way to an historic season in the Texas Collegiate League.

In their fifth anniversary campaign, the Jacks have outdone themselves, using their strong first half of the season to leap to #7 in Perfect Game's national rankings. The Pump Jacks jumped five spots from last week's #12 ranking out of more than 250 summer collegiate teams. It is the highest ranking in franchise history, surpassing last year's mark.

East Texas has been ranked in each of the three polls this season conducted by Perfect Game. They opened at #27 two weeks ago before landing at #12 last week.

Perfect Game is an Iowa-based organization that is considered the country's top resource in baseball player recruiting, particularly at the high school and college ages. In addition to the national summer collegiate poll, Perfect Game conducts player showcases throughout the country.

In the third poll of the 2012 season, the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod League continue to be ranked #1, placing there for the third week in a row. For the second-straight week, the Mariners' division rivals from the Cape Cod League, the Orleans Firebirds, are ranked #2. The Cape Cod League continues to show strongly in the polls, placing six teams in the top-30, with three of those in the top-10.

The Wenatchee Applesox of the West Coast League now sit at #3, while the Mankato Moondogs of the Northwoods League and the Keene Swamp Bats of the New England Collegiate League round out the top-5. Ranking sixth, just ahead of the Pump Jacks, are the Amsterdam Mohawks of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League.

The only other TCL team mentioned in the poll was the Victoria Generals, who were among the teams also receiving consideration for the top-30. The Brazos Valley Bombers, who had been named in the poll for the first two weeks and ranked as high as #21, fell out of this week's rankings.

The Jacks' strong start earned the TCL first-half division title, the fourth straight half they have captured a flag. East Texas won the second-half championship in 2010 before sweeping both halves on its way to a league record for wins last summer.

By winning the first-half title, the Pump Jacks earned the #1 seed for the TCL playoffs and guaranteed they will host a playoff game at historic Driller Park. The Jacks will host the winner-take-all first-round game on August 12, with the opponent determined by the second-half standings. Season ticket holders will have the opportunity to purchase playoff tickets soon, with postseason tickets going on sale to the general public in mid-July.

Coming off their first home loss of 2012, the Jacks will remain at home tonight when they look to bounce back against the Texas Marshals on Family Night, when a family of four can get tickets for just $10, and they can add four meals for only $15 more. The Pump Jacks then head on the road for a pair of games on Wednesday and Thursday nights against The Woodlands Strykers.

The Pump Jacks return home for an Independence Week Fireworks Friday on July 6, presented by Patterson Motors of Kilgore and CBS 19. You may see fireworks on the Fourth, but this Friday, come out and enjoy the game, stay for a spectacular post-game firewworks display set to a new soundtrack... and you don't have to be at work the next day! The homestand continues on Saturday night when the Jacks have a special giveaway. Stay tuned for more details!

First pitch for each game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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Texas Collegiate League Stories from July 3, 2012


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