Sports stats



Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Clark's Big Night Helps Jackals Double Up Skyhawks

July 23, 2010 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Augusta, NJ - Kevin Clark homered and doubled while reliever Chris Vasami earned his first professional win in his Jackals debut as the New Jersey Jackals defeated the Sussex Skyhawks 8-4 on a humid Friday night at Skylands Park.

Clark cracked a three-run home run to right field in the top of the second inning following back-to-back two-out walks to give New Jersey a 3-0 lead. However, Sussex third baseman Nick Giarraputo laced a two-run single in the bottom of the second to make it 3-2 before right fielder Caleb Stewart's RBI single in the bottom of the fourth evened the score at 3-3.

From there though, New Jersey's bullpen retired 12 of the next 13 batters it faced to set up a late-game offensive assault.

In the top of the seventh, Jackals designated hitter Jacob Butler ripped a two-run single and shortstop Dan Betteridge added an RBI base knock to extend New Jersey's lead to 6-3. The Jackals tacked on two more runs in the eighth on a two-out double off the bat of left fielder Jeff Grose to make it 8-3.

Sussex plated a run in the bottom of the ninth on Stewart's third single of the night, but Mike Pontius escaped the jam to preserve the Jackals second straight win over Sussex to start the four-game series.

Rookie southpaw Lou Fernandez started for New Jersey and allowed two runs on three hits with three walks and a strikeout over 2 1/3 frames while Sussex starter Tim Stringer walked six batters, but yielded just three runs on two hits in five innings of work. Vasami, a converted position player who signed with the Jackals earlier in the day, surrendered just one run and struck out five batters in 3 2/3 innings in his New Jersey debut to notch the victory. Former Jackal Kevin Gunter (3-1) absorbed the loss after going 1 2/3 innings and giving up three runs after taking over for Stringer in the sixth. Edgar Estanga added a scoreless frame out of the New Jersey bullpen while Pontius allowed one run in two innings.

In addition to Clark's 2-for-5 night that featured three RBIs, Butler, Grose, and Betteridge each collected two hits. For Sussex, Mike Megale and Kris Sanchez both singled twice while designated hitter Jon Gossard drew four walks.

The Jackals (2-3 second half, 21-30 overall) and Skyhawks (1-4, 26-25) continue their four-game series on Saturday at 2:05 p.m. at Skylands Park when New Jersey left-hander Jayson Miller (0-0, 8.44) to the mound for his second start against Sussex right-hander Jusef Frias (1-2, 5.75). Cody Chrusciel has the live call on the Jackals webcast beginning 10 minutes prior to first pitch at www.jackals.com.

The New Jersey Jackals, proud members of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, play their home games at Yogi Berra Stadium located on the campus of Montclair State University in Little Falls, NJ. 2010 season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 973-746-7434. Visit the Jackals online at www.jackals.com.

Check out the New Jersey Jackals Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Canadian American League message board...

Canadian American League Stories from July 23, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central