Advantage Sioux City
September 4, 2002 - Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release
SIOUX CITY, IA â The Sioux City Explorers (1-0) defeated the Joliet JackHammers (0-1) 4-to-3 in 10 innings on Wednesday night at Louis & Clark Park in the first game of a five-game playoff series. This was the JackHammers first playoff game in team history. The JackHammers made four errors and left 11 on base.
Tony Mitchell (1-for-4), who knocked in 52 runs in the regular season, recorded a sacrifice fly ball in the bottom of the 1st inning for a 1-to-0 Explorers lead.
Brian Sprout (1-for-4) tied the game with a one-out solo home run over the left-center field wall in the top of the 3rd inning. Sprout hit nine home runs in the regular season. He also accounted for all of the runs driven in during the JackHammers 4-to-0 win on Tuesday night at Lincoln.
With the bases loaded and one out in the top of the 4th inning, Paul Bartolucci (0-for-3) was credited with an RBI fielder's choice grounder that was misplayed by third baseman Cris Colon. That gave the JackHammers a 2-to-1 lead. The next batter, Sprout, was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded resulting in his second RBI of the night and a JackHammers 3-to-1 lead.
With runners on first and second with one out in the bottom of the 4th inning, Rich Rodrigues (1-for-4) hit a fly ball off the wall in left field. Mike Meggers (0-for-3) scored from second base. Bernard Caston (1-for-4) scored from first base because left fielder Rob Fischer bobbled the ball and tallied a throwing error. Rodrigues overran the Caston resulting in Rodrigues being called out on that play. The game was tied at 3-to-3.
After allowing a lead-off single in the bottom of the 8th inning, JackHammers starting RHP Randy Goodrich was lifted from the game for LHP Brent Franklin (0-1). Goodrich pitched seven-plus innings, allowed eight hits, three runs (one earned), one walk and struck out three without earning a decision. Franklin recorded a fly out, a strikeout and then walked the next two batters loading the bases. Rodrigues grounded to third baseman Peter DeYoung who stepped on the bag for the final out of the inning leaving the bases loaded.
In the bottom of the 10th inning, there were two outs and runners on first and second bases. Caston hit a deep fly ball to left field that Fischer could not reach down. Cris Colon (2-for-5) scored from second base to win the game. Franklin worked 2.2 innings, allowed three hits, one run (earned), two walks and struck out one for the loss. RHP Chris George (1-0) earned the win pitching the final two innings, allowed one hit and struck out one.
LOOSE GRAVEL: The JackHammers were hit by 94 pitches in the regular season. They added one tonight as Sprout was hit for the 13th time. Catcher Rick Wilkins entered the game as the most efficient Northern League Central catcher when it comes to throwing out potential base stealers at 40%. He threw out two base runners in two attempts in this game. The JackHammers ended the regular season with a 53-and-38 overall record (1st half: 22-and-23; 2nd half:31-and-15). The JackHammers are 0-and-4 at Sioux City including the regular season.
Games two will be at Sioux City. RHP Rickey Lewis, Jr. (5-9, 5.15) will start for the JackHammers, and LHP Ralph McCasland (5-7, 3.46) will start for the Explorers. The game can be heard on WJOL 1340-AM and via the JackHammers website beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 PM. Game time is 7:05 PM.
Game three will be on Friday night at Silver Cross Field. Games four and five will be played at home on Saturday and Sunday (if necessary). If you purchase tickets, there will not be refunds or exchanges. All games times will be 7:05 PM. For playoff tickets, please call 815-726-BALL (2255).
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Northern League Stories from September 4, 2002
- Advantage Sioux City - Joliet JackHammers
- Dukes Moving to Kansas City - Duluth-Superior Dukes
- Dukes Not Renewing Wade Stadium Lease - Duluth-Superior Dukes
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