Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Early offense sparks Jackals victory in home opener

Published on May 29, 2008 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Little Falls, NJ - No late-inning heroics were needed on Thursday night as the Jackals jumped out to a 7-0 lead at the end of three innings en route to defeating the Ottawa Rapidz by a score of 7-4 in their 2008 home opener at Yogi Berra Stadium.

A night after scoring seven runs in the ninth inning in a thrilling comeback against Quebec, New Jersey shut the door early as the Rapidz fell to 1-6 in their inaugural season. New Jersey improves to 5-3 on the young season.

In the second inning, first baseman Marcos Rodriguez and left fielder Francisco Leandro led off with back-to-back singles. Right fielder Andrew Larsen then reached on an error by Ottawa third baseman Juan Infante to load the bases. After a sacrifice groundout by shortstop Casey Gordon plated the first run of the game, a two-run single by catcher Craig Maddox made it 3-0 New Jersey. Three batters later, designated hitter Ramon Nivar connected for his third home run of the season, a line-drive three-run shot to left field on a 2-1 fastball. New Jersey led 6-0 after two innings of play. In the third inning, Rodriguez and Leandro led off with walks, allowing Gordon to make it 7-0 Jackals with a one-out RBI double. Ottawa would plate a run in the top of the fourth and two more in the fifth to cut the New Jersey lead to 7-3, before pulling within three in the top of the seventh on an RBI single by second baseman Jose De Los Santos. That's as close as the Rapidz would come, as relievers Ted Serro and Rusty Tucker pitched perfect eighth and ninth innings, respectively, to secure the Jackals win.

Turker struck out the side in the ninth to earn his first save of the season a night after he earned his first victory of the season. Jackals starter Juan Done improved to 2-0 on the season, picking up the win after scattering five hits and allowing three runs over five innings of work. Done struck out six and walked two. Rapidz starter Orlando Trias falls to 0-2, taking the loss after allowing seven runs on eight hits in five innings of work.

New Jersey looks to make it three straight victories tomorrow night when Isaac Pavlik takes the hill against Ottawa's Greg Bunn. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. If you can't make it out to Yogi Berra Stadium, you can catch every pitch via live webcast at www.jackals.com. Beginning at 7 p.m.

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Canadian American League Stories from May 29, 2008


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