Correll Swings Joliet to Victory

July 9, 2009 - Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release


JOLIET-LF Brad Correll went 3-5 with two home runs and three RBI to help the Joliet JackHammers (19-30) survive for a 7-6 win over the Schaumburg Flyers (22-23) in the opener of a four-game series before 2,183 fans at Silver Cross Field on Thursday night.

The JackHammers jumped on top of the Flyers with a solo home run by Correll in the first inning. He smacked a pitch over the center field wall against Schaumburg LHP Carmen Pigantiello for a 1-0 Joliet lead.

The Flyers tied the game with a solo home run off the bat of DH Felix Jose (2-4) in the 4th inning. He powered a ball over the right field wall onto "power alley" against Joliet RHP Rory Shortell for a 1-1 tied score.

Schaumburg took advantage of some key Joliet errors to take a 5-1 lead in the 5th inning.

1B Craig Maddox (3-3) singled and moved to second base when LF Jeff Dunbar (0-3) reached base on an error. SS Travis Brown (0-4) reached base on a fielder's choice that retired Maddox at third base.

The JackHammers got into trouble when they tried to turn the double play. A throwing error moved Dunbar to third base and Brown to second base. C Richard Mercado (2-4) singled to load the bases and after CF Travis Ezi (0-5) struck out, 2B Jose Valdez (2-5) hit a grand-slam home run for a 5-1 Schaumburg lead.

The JackHammers scored three runs in the 5th inning thanks to one swing of the bat for the red-hot Correll. 2B Issac Omura (0-2) led off the inning by flying out to left field. CF Adam Klein (0-4) and SS Kevin Rios (2-3) each followed with walks. Correll smacked a three-run home run to get the JackHammers within one run at 5-4.

In the 6th inning, the JackHammers took the lead for good. `1B Freddie Thon (2-4) led off the inning with a single and moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by C Phil Avlas (1-4). Omura followed with a walk and Klein grounded out to move both runners into scoring position at second and third base.

Rios smacked a two-run double to score Thon and Omura. Correll hit a single to score Rios for a 7-5. Correll's hit proved to be the game-winner for the JackHammers, with the Flyers scoring a run in the 7th inning to get within one run at 7-6.

Shortell went six innings and allowed five runs, (one earned run), on eight hits to pick up the win. RHP Drew Shetrone worked one-third of an inning for his third save of the season.

The JackHammers and Flyers continue their four-game series on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. It's a special fireworks show presented by Aramark. It's also 80's Night at Silver Cross Field. The Flyers send RHP Dustin Glant (4-2, 3.84) to the mound against LHP Ryan Gehring (3-3, 3.61) for Joliet. The first pitch is at 7:05 p.m. and pre-game coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on AM 1340 WJOL and online at www.jackhammerbaseball.com.

The JackHammers currently have pro-rated full season seats, mini-plan packages, various group outings, affordable marketing opportunities and individual game tickets available for the 2009 season. To invest, or for more information, please contact them TODAY at 815.726.2255 (BALL), visit their website (www.jackhammerbaseball.com) or stop by the Silver Cross Field Box Office during normal business hours.



Northern League Stories from July 9, 2009


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