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Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Jackals Bats Explode In Doubleheader Sweep Of Defenders

August 27, 2009 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Brockton, MA - Very little about the New Jersey Jackals road trip to play the American Defenders of New Hampshire went according to plan. For starters the Jackals earned a win in game one of the series by default as the result of a forfeit. Then there was the Wednesday afternoon doubleheader, but the real kicker was the venue for the two contests that were actually played. Rather than suiting up and taking the field at historic Holman Stadium, both squads traveled a little over an hour south to Brockton to play at Campanelli Stadium while the Rox were in Quebec for a series with the Capitales. The change of location for the contests was due to facility issues that New Hampshire was experiencing at their home stadium, requiring the series to be moved. What it all amounted to was a very hectic 48 hours that left the Jackals tired but smiling after sweeping the doubleheader from the Defenders to take a one game lead over Brockton in the overall standings.

Whatever concerns there may have been for distractions as a result of the unexpected schedule change were quickly tossed wayward when the Jackals five runs in the top of the first inning against New Hampshire starter Francisco Cervantes. New Jersey sent 11 batters to the plate - aided by four walks issued by Cervantes (0-4) - and got big hits from second baseman Marcus Sanders and right fielder Quinn Stewart. Sanders, who grounded out to start the inning, made good with his second plate appearance by lining an RBI-single and Stewart had the big hit of the inning, ripping a two-run triple to deep right field. New Jersey would add another run in the third courtesy of an RBI-single from center fielder Timo Perez to give starter Nick Asselin a 6-0 pad.

The right-hander, making his first start in a Jackals uniform (consequently enough against his former team), was sharp early on, but was touched up for three runs in the bottom of the third inning. New Hampshire catcher Zane Chavez was given credit for an RBI-groundout and later in the inning new acquisition center fielder Heath Keel deposited a two-run single in just his second at-bat for the Defenders. Asselin (10-6) would leave the game after five innings of work, allowing just the three runs on six hits, while striking out three batters and walking a pair.

New Jersey would add three more runs in the top of the seventh when Sanders recorded his second RBI-single of the game and Perez laced a two-run single of his own to make it 9-3. Those runs would prove to be crucial though as the Defenders roughed up reliever Kevin Gunter for three runs early in the bottom of the seventh after the right-hander was only able to record one out. Keel and right fielder Angel Molina both recorded RBI-singles in the inning, while first baseman Jabe Bergeron drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Jackals closer Rusty Tucker would come on and strike out the final two batters of the game to earn his Can-Am League best 23rd save of the season and close game one 9-6.

Game two proved to be less of a nail bitter as New Jersey led 9-0 after four innings and never looked back on their way to an 11-2 blowout. Starter A.J. Wideman (8-1) was absolutely brilliant, allowing just two hits in five innings, while striking out seven batters against no walks. On the other side of the coin, New Hampshire's Miguel Flores (6-4) couldn't seem to master to quell the Jackals bats as he was touched up for nine runs, eight of them earned, in just three and a third innings on the mound.

After both teams were set down in relatively quick fashion through the first two innings, New Jersey started to heat up in the top of the third and open the game up. After catcher Chris Chiarappa reached on a two-base error to lead things off the flood gates opened. Designated hitter Rafael Cabreja laced an RBI-single and a few batters later with two men on, shortstop Mike DeJesus ripped a two-run triple. He would score on an RBI-groundout by Perez to make it a 4-0 contest.

The very next inning the Jackals bats did even more damage, scoring five additional runs. Sanders, DeJesus and Perez blasted back-to-back-to-back RBI-doubles, with DeJesus bringing in two runs on his hit. Left fielder Jerod Edmondson would also bring in a run with a groundout as well. Just for good measure, Myron Leslie decided to get in on the offensive onslaught by blasting a two-run home run in the sixth inning - his 15th long ball of the season - to set the score at 11-0. New Hampshire would get on the board in the bottom half of the inning with a pair of RBI-singles from Bergeron and shortstop Matt Nandin against New Jersey left-hander Mark Suchowiecki, but it would be too little, too late from the Defenders.

In all, New Jersey scored 20 runs on 23 hits in the doubleheader. Sanders went 5-for-9 with two doubles, four runs scored and three RBIs while DeJesus went 3-for-8 with a triple, a double and four RBIs. Perez had his best showing in a Jackals uniform, posting a 5-for-8 afternoon with three runs scored and four RBIs. In total, nine of the ten New Jersey position players who appeared in the doubleheader crossed home plate, with six players scoring multiple times.

Up next, New Jersey will be back at Yogi Berra Stadium for a three-game weekend home series with the Sussex Skyhawks. The series will kick off Friday night with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch. Neither team has named a starter for game one of the series yet. Joey Whelan will have the live call of the game at www.jackals.com with the pre-game show starting 10 minutes prior.

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. The Jackals have clinched the 2009 Can-Am League first-half title and an automatic berth in the playoffs, which begin on September 9. Playoff and regular 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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