Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Jackals Drop Third Straight To Defenders In Home Stand Finale

Published on August 13, 2009 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Little Falls, NJ - For the second day in a row it was a back and forth affair between the New Jersey Jackals and American Defenders of New Hampshire, with the latter making it three wins in a row at Yogi Berra Stadium on Thursday night. With starter Nick Asselin throwing into the seventh inning and another strong offensive showing top to bottom, the Defenders handed the Jackals their fifth loss of the home stand, 8-6.

New Hampshire struck first - the first time they had done so in the series - putting up a run in the first and another in the third courtesy of a leadoff solo home run by first baseman Jerod Edmondson, making it a 2-0 contest.

The Jackals answered forcefully soon thereafter, plating four runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth. After first baseman Myron Leslie and catcher Matt Lauderdale each reached base on errors, right fielder Quentin Davis and third baseman Mike Scanzano tied the game with a pair of RBI-singles. Moments later with two runners on and only one out, center fielder Billy Kovatch ripped a two-run double down the right field line to put the Jackals out in front.

New Jersey carried a 4-3 lead into the sixth inning when starter Giuseppe Granitto was removed from the ballgame for right-hander Kevin Gunter. The normally dominant reliever would struggle, surrendering four earned runs in just an inning and two-thirds on the mound. The Defenders tied the game in the sixth with a squeeze bunt by shortstop Matt Nandin that scored centerfielder Edward Ovalle from third, and then broke the game open with three runs in the seventh.

Catcher Zane Chaves started the inning with a solo home run - his third of the season - before Gunter (4-1) issued a walk to Edmondson. After right fielder Angel Molina grounded out to second, third baseman Chris Kelly lined an RBI-double and scored moments later when designated hitter Jabe Bergeron deposited a run-scoring single to make it a 7-4 Defenders lead.

The Jackals would knock Asselin (8-6) out of the game in the seventh with a pair of runs to cut the deficit to a single run. After second baseman Marcus Sanders walked and the next two batters flied out to left, Leslie ripped his third triple of the season to bring home a run. Lauderdale followed that with an RBI-single forcing New Hampshire to bring in right-hander Cooper Brannon.

The combination of Brannon, left-hander Luis Ramos and right-hander Adam Piechowski would keep New Jersey at bay the rest of the evening, holding the Jackals scoreless in the final two innings, while New Hampshire brought an insurance run home in the eight off Seth Overbey.

Granitto was solid for the second straight start, allowing three runs on six hits over five frames, but the Jackals lost for their third straight to the Defenders after having won the previous five in a row. New Jersey stranded ten base runners, bringing their series total up to 47 men left on base over four games.

Up next, the Jackals will hit the road for a three-game series at Stade Municipal De Quebec to take on the first place Capitales. New Jersey will send left-hander Isaac Pavlik to the mound in game one with Quebec's starter still to be announced. Joey Whelan will have the live call of the game from Quebec 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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Canadian American League Stories from August 13, 2009


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