Pump Jacks Add Four Award-Winning Freshmen

Published on May 7, 2013 under Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


The Jacks roster continues to grow with the addition of a duo from UNLV as well as the organization's first two players from Northwestern.

The East Texas Pump Jacks announced Tuesday the team has signed four top freshmen for the 2013 season. Right-handed pitcher Kenny Oakley and infielder Joey Armstrong will join the Jacks from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV), and infielder Zach Jones and right-handed pitcher Evan Schreiber will venture to East Texas from Northwestern University.

Both Oakley and Armstrong have been solid contributors to a UNLV squad that is 30-17 this spring. Entering the final two weeks of the season, UNLV is 13-11 and in second place in the Mountain West Conference.

Though he is only a freshman, Oakley has been a valuable member of the pitching staff, making six starts and seven relief appearances. He has posted a 2.94 ERA, good for second on the team and fourth in the conference. Oakley also leads Rebel freshmen in ERA and strikeouts (42) this spring.

Oakley was named Mountain West Pitcher of the Week after defeating Gonzaga February 23 at the Pacific Baseball Invitational. Oakley gave up just two hits and two walks while striking out seven batters in seven innings to pick up his first collegiate win.

As a senior in high school, Oakley helped the Coronado High School Cougars to a state championship appearance after going 8-2 with a 2.70 ERA and 90 strikeouts. He is the all-time career strikeout leader at Coronado and set a single-season strikeout record in his senior season. Oakley was also named second team all-state and first team all-region.

Armstrong will join Oakley in the journey from UNLV to East Texas this summer. An offensive force, Armstrong has started all 43 games thus far in the infield as a true freshman for the Rebels. He currently ranks first among UNLV freshmen and third overall with a .321 batting average and 10 doubles.

Armstrong had a rich high school career at Lodi High School culminating in a bevy of awards his senior year. He left the Flames with a .562 average, seven home runs and 36 RBI, earning accolades as both the San Joaquin Athletic Association League MVP and the All-Area Offensive Player of the Year.

The Woodbridge native was also named to the league's first team and the all-area first team as a freshman and sophomore in high school. In his sophomore year, Armstrong hit .510 with five home runs and 31 RBI and was named the league's MVP. He demonstrated his athleticism by excelling on the gridiron as well, playing quarterback for Lodi and earning league MVP and all-area player of the year awards.

Jones is currently second on Northwestern - and first among freshman - with an eye-popping .342 batting average. As a true freshman, he has made 27 appearances, including 16 starts at first base or in the outfield. Jones started his career on a high note, making his collegiate debut with a pinch-hit single in his first plate appearance against Michigan State. He has been named Big Ten Freshman of the week twice already, both in the span of less than a month.

Jones racked up awards and honors at Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, in the northern suburbs of Chicago. He was named one of the top-40 players in the state of Illinois after a senior season in which he batted .463 with 16 doubles, six triples, and 29 RBI. He was also named to the all-state team as well as the Chicago Sun-Times and Pioneer Press all-area teams. In addition, Jones was selected to the Suburban League all-star team and he was a two-time all-conference selection.

As a junior Jones set a school record with a .469 batting average while earning honorable mention all-area honors. Prep Baseball Report even named him one of top left-handed hitters in the state of Illinois.

Like Jones, Schreiber will be making his way from Northwestern, but the San Diego native has taken quite a different journey. His one appearance this season has been a memorable one: in his collegiate debut in relief against Wheaton, Schreiber struck out the very first batter he faced. He went on to pitch a total of two scoreless innings, allowing only two hits.

At La Costa Canyon High School, Schreiber helped lead the Mavericks to the CIF San Diego Section Division II title his senior year. The Mavericks also claimed back-to-back league titles in Schreiber's final two years at La Costa Canyon. He was the staff's ace as a junior, going 5-0 with a 2.50 ERA and 45 strikeouts. Schreiber prep totals include a 7-1 record with a 3.44 ERA. He was named a San Diego County All-Star and was a two-time San Diego Tribune Academic Scholar.

While Schreiber and Jones are the first two Northwestern players ever to join the Pump Jacks, fans certainly are familiar with their Big Ten competition. The Wildcats battle in conference play against former Pump Jacks Kash Kalkowski and Kyle Kubat, both at Nebraska, and Ohio State's Kirby Pellant. Pellant is a two-time TCL all-star, and Kubat last year became the first player in TCL history to be named both the league's top freshman and best pitcher in the same year.

The freshman quartet joins a Pump Jacks roster that already includes three players from No. 6 Oregon State. Pitcher Carlos Rodriguez, catcher Nate Esposito, and designated hitter Beau Day are preparing to join the Jacks after the Beavers' march to the College World Series is complete.

The Pump Jacks open the defense of their title on Thursday, May 30, on the road against the Texas Marshals. They open their 2013 home schedule on Tuesday, June 4, against the Acadiana Cane Cutters, then conclude their opening homestand with a championship rematch against the Victoria Generals.

Host Families: The Pump Jacks are seeking host families for the 2013 season. Hosting a player is a great experience that forges a lifelong bond with a young man, a relationship that transcends the game of baseball. Host families also receive free season tickets - including the All-Star Game - for every member of their household. If you're interested in finding out more about the host family program, please contact the Pump Jacks at (903) 218-GO ET or info@pumpjacksbaseball.com.

Season tickets for the Jacks are on sale now: Season ticket prices remain the same this year - that's right, no price increase even with a championship and the All-Star Game! Lower Box seats, which include in-your-seat wait service, are just $199 each, and Upper Box seats are $150. Grandstand season tickets are $105 for adults and $85 for children and seniors. Season tickets can be purchased online, by phone, or in person at the Jacks' office in downtown Kilgore.

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