Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Jackals alive and well in NELCS

Published on September 17, 2004 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Little Falls, NJ – The New Jersey Jackals stayed alive in the Northeast League Championship Series, with a 7-4 win over the North Shore Spirit, in a 13 inning thriller. The Spirit still lead the best of five series, two games to one.

For the third consecutive ballgame, North Shore forced the Jackals to play come-from-behind basbeall, tallying the first run in the bottom of the second inning. Frank Charles singled, scoring Rob Fischer.

In the third, the Spirit added two more runs on an RBI single by Joe Hastings, and an RBI groundout by Charles.

New Jersey notched their first run of the game in the top of the sixth, off a solo homerun by Chris Rowan.

In the bottom of the inning, a combination of a single by Yuri Sanchez, and an error by Chris Rowan, allowed Frank Charles to score, putting the Spirit ahead 4-1.

The Jackals once again rallied in the top of seventh, scoring two runs. A pair of RBI doubles by John Anderson and Wilton Veras cut the Spirit lead to 4-3.

In the eighth, the Jackals finally evened up the score at four runs a piece. Scott Goodman hit a solo homerun with one out, completing the New Jersey comeback.

The ballgame went into extra innings, and became a chess match. In the top 13th the Jackals put the ballgame away with clutch hitting. Jay LaFlair singled, scoring Goodman, putting the Jackals ahead 5-4. They added two more to their lead on a Zack Smithlin two RBI single.

North Shore starter Aaron Dean went six full innings of work, while receiving the no decision. He gave up only one earned run, on five hits, while walking three, and striking out four. Ryan Bicondoa was the loser in relief.

Josh Miller lasted five and third innings, while also getting the no decision. He scattered six hits, while surrendering four runs, three of them being earned. Miller also walked two, and struck out five. Fabricio Benitez was the winner in relief. The save went to Evan Neiser.

Game four of the NELCS is Saturday, September 18, 2004 at Frasier Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Pre-Game Show kicks off at 6:50 p.m. on 88.7fm, WPSC, and on the web at www.jackals.com

The Northeast League announced its 2004 Postseason All-Star Team, Tuesday, September 7, 2004. Three members of the Jackals were selected by the managers, media, and other league officials. The League also announced its manager of the year, and Jackals' skipper Joe Calfapietra received the prestigious honor.

Shortstop Chris Rowan was selected to the team. In his second season in the Northeast League, it was his first All-Star Selection. In 2004, Rowan batted .268, with 23 homeruns, and 63 RBI. His 23 homeruns were tied for the league lead with Bangor's Derry Hammond.

Mid-season All-Star Wilton Veras was also selected to the postseason squad. Veras won the batting title of the Northeast League with a .369 average, along with five homeruns and 59 RBI. He also tallied 29 doubles. Veras was then named the 2004 Northeast League Player of the Year on Monday, September 13, 2004.

Wady Almonte, who was also selected to play in the midsummer classic, was named a member of the season ending team. Almonte batted .327 in 86 games, with nine homeruns, 64 RBI, and 29 doubles.

Manager Joe Calfapietra received this second Manager of the Year Award. Calfapietra was the recipient of the award in 2002, while managing the Gary Railcats of the Northern League. The Railcats were an expansion traveling team that Calfapietra guided to a 35-55 record.

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Canadian American League Stories from September 17, 2004


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