Can-Am League Playoffs Recap
Published on September 5, 2007 under Canadian American League (Can-Am) News Release
New Jersey 4, Nashua 2 (New Jersey leads series 1-0)
@ Nashua, NH. Time: 3:10 Attendance: 850
W: John Kelly (1-0) L: Hideki Nagasaka (0-1) S: Tom Atlee (1)
HR: NJ-Francisco Leandro (1), Jud Thigpen (1); NP-John Ramistella (1)
The New Jersey Jackals took a 1-0 series lead with some good offensive production and a strong outing from starting pitcher John Kelly. The Jackals out-hit the Nashua Pride 12-5 and Kelly allowed two runs on four hits and struck out nine in seven innings of work. New Jersey was led at the plate by RF Francisco Leandro and LF Jud Thigpen. Leandro was 2-for-5 with a home run and Thigpen also homered in a 2-for-4 effort. The Pride struck first with a run in the first inning, but New Jersey answered with a run in the third. Nashua regained the lead with a run in the bottom of the frame, but again the Jackals answered in the fourth to tie the score. In the seventh inning, New Jersey notched what would become the winning run, Leandro's solo home run, and they added a run for insurance in the eighth when Thigpen scored from first on an error by the right fielder. The Pride will look to rebound with starting pitcher Akira Okamoto at home in game two. The Jackals will counter with Joel Bennett.
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North Shore 5, Atlantic City 4 (North Shore leads series 1-0)
@ Lynn, MA. Time: 2:56 Attendance: 310
W: Ryan Bicondoa (1-0) L: Brian Rodaway (0-1) L: Derek Drage (1)
HR: NS-Jerson Perez (1)
The North Shore Spirit got things started early with two runs in the first inning and another in the second to build a lead that, although threatened, they would hold throughout the contest. Spirit starter Ryan Bicondoa allowed four runs, three earned on seven hits while striking out eight in 7 1/3 innings to earn the victory. The offense plated five runs on 11 hits in support of Bicondoa, led by SS Jerson Perez who was 2-for-4 with a solo home run. After seeing their lead shrink to 4-2 in the top of the fifth inning, the Spirit mustered an insurance run in the bottom of the frame when 1B Luis Lopez hit a one-out double and later scored on a single by DH Josue Lopez. As it turned out, that extra run was vital, as the Surf added two runs in the seventh inning to pull within a run. But then Bicondoa handed things over to the bullpen where the combination of Donny Langdon and closer Derek Drage closed the door on the hopes of an Atlantic City comeback. Atlantic City will send starting pitcher Ben Thurmond to the mound for game two in hopes of evening the series. For North Shore, it will be Matthew Bishop.
Canadian American League Stories from September 5, 2007
- Can-Am League Playoffs Recap - Can-Am
- Jackals Take Game One Against Nashua, 4-2 - New Jersey Jackals
- Leandro's Homerun Leads Jackals over Pride, 4-2 in Playoff Opener - American Defenders of New Hampshire
- Skyhawks make changes with coaching staff - Sussex Skyhawks
- Playoff Tickets Now On Sale - American Defenders of New Hampshire
- Olmo Rosario named 2007 Can-Am League Player of the Year - Can-Am
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