Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Jackals and Pride split after Kuklick heroics in nightcap

August 31, 2006 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Little Falls, NJ "" The New Jersey Jackals were one out away from being swept by the Nashua Pride in their doubleheader, but Clay Kuklick's heroics in the last half inning of game two helped them split the games, and remain alive in the wild card standings.

A little offense was all the Pride needed in game one, as they easily defeated the Jackals 6-1.

The Pride stuck with their strength in the early going of the game, putting the Jackals in a hole that proved to be insurmountable. A two-run homerun by Tommy Rojas, off of Jackal starter Joel Bennett, made the score 2-0 in favor of Nashua.

In the second, New Jersey crept closer with an RBI groundout by Clay Kuklick. But the Pride got the run back immediately in the next half inning thanks to Billy Becher's RBI single.

Nashua matched their run total in the third, as they put up three more runs on the scoreboard. All with two outs, Becher notched his second RBI single of the game, followed by a two RBI double by George Branch. After the two out explosion, the Pride held a 6-1 lead.

The loss went to Joel Bennett. He was roughed up for six earned runs in five innings. The runs came on eight hits, while walking three, and striking out seven.

Josh Stevens collected the win in six innings of work. He allowed one earned run, on six hits, while walking none and striking out four.

Game two saw the Jackals show the character we've all been waiting for, as they battled back in the seventh, to steal one from the Pride. The final score was 7-6.

In the third inning of game two, New Jersey scraped across a run in similar fashion to the way they did in game one. An RBI groundout by Wilton Veras scored Jason Tuttle, to give the Jackals a 1-0 advantage.

They added to their slim advantage in the bottom of fourth thanks to a timely base-hit. With two outs, and pinch-runner Zack Smithlin at second, Clay Kuklick delivered a huge RBI single. It gave starter Raul Valdes a bit more cushion to work with.

But in the seventh, the Pride offense came out of it's shell and finally burned Valdes. With the bases loaded and one out, Valdes struck out Tommy Rojas, to inch closer to getting out of the jam. But Nashua made sure he didn't get out of it, as George Branch took the first pitch over the left field wall for a grand slam. The blast gave the Pride a 4-2 lead.

Nashua looked to be ahead for good, as they added two runs in the seventh.. With two outs, Larry Bethea's two RBI single made it 6-2.

But the seventh inning proved to be magical for the Jackals. Against Nashua closer Derrick Depriest, New Jersey kept their playoff hopes alive. Zack Smithlin's RBI single cut the Pride lead to three. Bill Peavey then swung and missed for strike three, but the ball got away from the catcher Rojas allowing another run to score. Now down two, still with the bases loaded, Clay Kuklick delivered a bases clearing double to win the game in walk off fashion.

Dan Reichert received a tough no decision. He went five strong innings, while allowing just two runs, and only one earned. He surrendered six hits, while walking three, and striking out two.

Raul Valdes was bailed out of a loss thanks to the comeback. He also received a no decision for his 6.1 innings of work. He allowed six runs, all earned, on six hits, while walking three, and striking out four.

The win went to New Jersey's Jason Wylie. Derrick Depriest suffered the loss for Nashua.

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Canadian American League Stories from August 31, 2006


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