Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Clark's Late-Game Heroics Not Enough

Published on July 21, 2010 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Worcester, Mass. - Kevin Clark launched a game-tying two-run home run with two outs in the top of the ninth inning, but Stantrel Smith's bases-loaded single in the bottom of the frame carried the Worcester Tornadoes to a 5-4 victory over the New Jersey Jackal and a sweep in the three-game series.

With the Jackals trailing 4-2 and down to their final out in the top of the ninth, rookie Dan Betteridge drew a two-out walk against Tornadoes closer Rich Asadoorian before Clark pulled a two-run home run off back of the Holy Cross football scoreboard down the right field line.

New Jersey closer Romas Hicks, who held Worcester scoreless in the eighth, loaded the bases in the ninth on a double by catcher Alex Trezza, an intentional walk, and a fielders' choice. Hicks then struck out second baseman Mike Baillargeon before Smith bounced the game-winning single up the middle on a full-count pitch with one out in the bottom of the ninth to give the Tornadoes their second walk-off win of the series.

After first pitch was delayed nearly a half hour due to rain, a solo home run by designated hitter Jacob Butler in the top of the second staked New Jersey to a 1-0 lead.

That score held until the bottom of the fifth inning, when the Tornadoes broke through against New Jersey starter Ryan Lobban on a two-run home run by center fielder Danny Santiesteban and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Smith to gain a 3-1 advantage.

New Jersey chipped away with a run in the bottom of the sixth to make it 3-2 on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Jabe Bergeron after singles by center fielder Adam Godwin and second baseman Travis Jones. But Worcester extended its lead to 4-2 in the seventh when Baillargeon collected an RBI single against reliever Edward Rodriguez.

Neither starter factored in the decision with Lobban surrendering three runs on seven hits in six innings with two strikeouts and no walks while Worcester's Justin Knoff allowed two runs on eight hits over seven frames. Asadoorian (2-0) picked up his second win of the series after blowing his second save in three nights. Hicks (0-1) took his first loss of the season after entering with a two-run deficit in the bottom of the eighth and allowing the game-winning single in the ninth.

Offensively for New Jersey, Godwin singled three times as he collected his third multi-hit outing in six games with the Jackals while Clark went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs. For Worcester, Trezza went 3-for-4.

The Jackals (0-3 second half, 19-30 overall) travel to Augusta, NJ on Thursday to begin a four-game set against the Sussex Skyhawks. In the series-opener, which is slated for a 6:35 p.m. start, New Jersey will send left-hander Isaac Pavlik (4-3, 4.57) to the mound for his seventh start of the season. Cody Chrusciel has the live call on the Jackals webcast beginning 10 minutes prior to first pitch at www.jackals.com

. The Jackals are 5-8 against the Skyhawks this season.

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

Jackal Bites:

Wednesday night marked Ryan Lobban's return to Hanover Insurance Park after the Jackals starter spent the past two seasons pitching for the Worcester Tornadoes... Jacob Butler's second-inning home run was his second solo home run in two games since returning to the Jackals lineup after missing three contests with a knee injury. The home run, Butler's ninth this season, ties him with Jabe Bergeron for the Jackals team-lead... Jackals' shortstop Mike DeJesus and third baseman Jovan Rosa both left the game with injuries, with DeJesus exiting in the bottom of the second inning and Rosa departing in the bottom of the ninth... Both benches were warned when Edward Rodriguez hit Danny Santiesteban with the first pitch of the bottom of the seventh inning... Five of Santiesteban's six home runs this season have come against New Jersey... The Tornadoes made two errors in the series, bring their league-leading total to 77 in 50 games... This is the second time New Jersey has been swept in a series this season, with the previous occurrence taking place June 18-20 against the first-half champion Quebec Capitales at Yogi Berra Stadium... The win by Worcester evened up the all-time series between the two teams, which began in 2005, at 40-40.

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Canadian American League Stories from July 21, 2010


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