Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Jackals crumble in the clutch

August 13, 2005 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Little Falls, NJ - The New Jersey Jackals fell apart in clutch, blowing a four-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and a one-run lead in the bottom of the eleventh, leading to an eventual defeat at the hands of the Worcester Tornadoes, 9-8 in extra frames.

The Jackals plated the first run of the contest in the top of the third. Following a bunt single by Ricardo Cordova to put runners at the corners, a ground ball, double play ball, off the bat of Elvis Corporan allowed Zack Smithlin to cross the dish, making it 1-0 in favor of New Jersey. But in the bottom half, a see-saw series continued. Josh Beauregard scored the equalizer on an RBI single.

The even score would not last for long. The Jackals score three times in the top of the fourth, to take a 4-1 advantage. Jose Salas singled home a run, and Matt Hagen doubled in a pair. And again, Worcester managed to score a run of their own in the bottom half. Andy Brown doubled, and eventually scored on a passed ball, cutting the Jackal lead to 4-2.

Already up two entering the sixth, the Jackals wanted more, and got more. Pinch hitter Izzy Alcantera singled with the bases loaded, scoring two, and Francisco walked with the bases once again, for an easy RBI. The three runs made it 7-2 in favor of the Jackals.

Worcester added a run in the bottom of the eighth, and rallied in a big way in the ninth. Down by three after an RBI by Omar Pena, Andy Brown stepped up to the plate with two aboard, and homered over the right-centerfield wall to send the game into extra innings.

In the top of the eleventh, Elvis Corporan took Greg Montalbano deep, putting the Jackals up 8-7, but they'd fall apart in the bottom of the eleventh again. Zack Strong's sacrifice fly tied the ballgame at eight. With two outs, Keith Beauregard then hit a routine ground ball to second base, which was booted by Jake Whitesides, allowing the winning run to score.

New Jersey starter James Mondesir lasted a solid five innings. He allowed two earned runs, on seven hits, while walking one, and striking out five. Randy Rapp suffered the loss.

Mike Cox got off the hook for the Tornadoes. Walks hurt him, issuing seven in 5.1 innings pitched. He struck out six, while surrendering seven runs, six earned, on six hits. Greg Montelbano was the winner in relief.

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Canadian American League Stories from August 13, 2005


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