An All-Star Effort
July 19, 2002 - Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release
JOLIET, IL â The Joliet JackHammers (4-4, 26-27) defeated the Duluth-Superior Dukes (4-3, 28-24) 4-to-1 on Friday night at Silver Cross Field. The JackHammers won 3 of 4 versus the Dukes in this four-game series. On the season, they are 4-and-3 versus the Dukes.
The JackHammers ended Dukes starting RHP Travis Thompson's (3-3) perfect game with a lead-off double in the bottom of the 4th inning with a double by Brian Sprout (2-for-4) to left-center field. After advancing to third base on Tony Chance's (1-for-4) ground out, Derek Kopacz (2-for-3) lifted a deep fly ball to right field to score Sprout for a 1-to-0 JackHammers lead.
The JackHammers scored their second run in the bottom of the 6th inning. Chad Henry (2-for-3) led off with a single. He advanced to second base on his third stolen base of the season and to third on a wild pitch. With two outs in the inning, Chance delivered a RBI single for a 2-to-0 JackHammers lead.
Thompson pitched 5.2 innings, allowed four hits, two runs (both earned), no walks and five strikeouts. He also uncorked one wild pitch in the loss.
With bases loaded in the bottom of the 8th inning and LHP Colin Brackeen on the mound for the Dukes, Rick Wilkins (0-for-4) hit into a fielder's choice grounder on the right side of the infield that scored a couple runs. Wilkins was credited with two RBI as Kopacz hustled to score from second base. The JackHammers led 4-to-0.
JackHammers starting RHP Brian Mazone (7-3) earned the win pitching eight scoreless innings allowing five hits, two walks, and he struck out seven. LHP Brent Franklin allowed the lone Dukes run as Marlon Jose Roche (1-for-3) and Sean Patrick Murphy (1-for-4) tallied back-to-back doubles. Murphy earned his 37th RBI.
LOOSE GRAVEL: Rob Fischer (0-for-2) still trails former JackHammer C Ryan Sienko in getting hit by a pitch. However, Fischer was hit for the 12th time of the season on Saturday night. He still trails Sienko's record of 25.
The JackHammers travel to St. Paul, MN for a three game series versus the St. Paul Saints. The first game is Saturday night at 7:05 PM. RHP Rickey Lewis, Jr. (3-4, 3.35) will start for the JackHammers, and LHP Wes Crawford (2-5, 4.95) will start for the Saints. The JackHammers will be back at Silver Cross Field next Thursday night at 7:05 PM. For tickets, please call 815-726-BALL (2255), on-line at www.jackhammerbaseball.com or at the Silver Cross Field ticket office.
Northern League Stories from July 19, 2002
- An All-Star Effort - Joliet JackHammers
- Closer Dusty Keppen To Represent Schaumburg In Upcoming NL All-Star Game - Schaumburg Flyers
- Thompson Named to All-Star Roster - Duluth-Superior Dukes
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