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Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Four Worcester Homers Help Tornadoes Down New Jersey

July 11, 2011 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Worcester, Mass. - Behind the strength of four home runs, two by third baseman Mark Minicozzi, the Worcester Tornadoes defeated the New Jersey Jackals, 14-5, on a muggy Monday night at Hanover Insurance Park.

In his best start of the season, Worcester starter Matt McDonald was well supported as the Tornadoes jumped out to a 7-0 lead through four innings. McDonald (1-1) allowed just two runs on six hits over seven frames to secure the victory.

The Tornadoes opened the scoring in the second inning when catcher Alex Trezza lifted a towering two-run home run off the back of the Holy Cross football scoreboard in right field to make it 2-0. Later in the second, Cam Monger singled, stole second, and scored frame on a fielders' choice off the bat of Ryan Crespi to extend the Tornadoes lead to 3-0.

In the bottom of the third, Tornadoes' first baseman Chris Colabello scorched a solo home run to left field, his ninth of the season, to make it 4-0. Worcester took advantage of four walks and a hit batter in the bottom of the fourth, scoring three runs to open up a 7-0 lead and chase starter Ryan Kulik from the game.

The Jackals finally broke through against McDonald in the top of the fifth when Mike Jones led off with a double and scored two batters later when Kris Sanchez went the other way and beat an infield shift with an RBI single to make it 7-1. The next batter, Jordan Newton, laced a triple off the top of the right field wall to cut the Jackals' deficit to 7-2.

However, the Tornadoes plated the game's next seven runs due in large part to Minicozzi, who connected on a two-run homer in the sixth and a three-run blast in the seventh.

New Jersey showed some life in the ninth inning, plating three runs against Ryan Lobban before the former Jackals' southpaw struck out the final two batters to secure the win for Worcester.

Kulik (2-3) took the loss for his third straight start after yielding seven runs on four hits over 3 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old struck out three batters, but the three walks he issued and the batter he hit all came around to score. Mike Petrowski followed and surrendered four runs in 2 2/3 innings of relief before Jeremy Hunt gave up three unearned runs while pitching the final two frames.

The Jackals and Tornadoes conclude their three-game series on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. when New Jersey sends southpaw Isaac Pavlik (7-0, 2.05 ERA) to the mound against Worcester right-hander Kevin Cooper (2-1, 4.85 ERA) at Hanover Insurance Park. Cody Chrusciel has the call on the live webcast beginning 10 minutes prior to first pitch at jackals.com.

Jackal Bites: Worcester leads the season series against New Jersey, 3-2... Ryan Lobban returned to the mound for the first time since injuring his arm when New Jersey's Mike Jones struck him with a line drive a month ago on June 10... Mike DeJesus finished 2-for-5 and is now batting .455 (20-for-44) in July... Mark Minicozzi finished the night 2-for-4 with five RBIs and is now tied with New Jersey's Mike Jones for the league RBI lead with 39.

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. 2011 single-game tickets, season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 973-746-7434. Visit the Jackals online at www.jackals.com.

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