Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Jackals finish strong at home

Published on August 28, 2008 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Little Falls, NJ - In front of a crowd of 4,502 fans on Thursday night at Yogi Berra Stadium, the New Jersey Jackals defeated the Sussex Skyhawks 6-4 to earn a victory in their final home game of the regular season.

Sussex took an early lead when DH Mario Delgado crushed a Michael Vicaro pitch deep to right field. Delgado's first homerun as a Skyhawk, a leadoff shot, gave Sussex a 1-0 advantage. However, the Jackals struck back immediately, posting a three-run bottom of the second. DH Luke Allen and C Matt Lauderdale laced back-to-back doubles to even the score at 1-1. Later in the inning, an RBI double by RF Billy Kovatch put New Jersey ahead 2-1 before the Jackals plated their third run of the frame on an Andrew Larsen base hit. In the top of the third inning, Sussex 1B Matt Weston singled home C Chris Panezich, who had been hit by a pitch, to pull Sussex within one at 3-2. But New Jersey struck back again in the bottom of the fourth inning when 3B Chris Kelly unloaded on a Justin Knoff offering, taking it out of the park just inside the left field foul pole. Kelly's 12th home run of the season extended New Jersey's lead to 4-2.

In the fifth inning, the Skyhawks plated a pair of runs to pull even at 4-4. RF Ryan Crespi led off and was hit by a pitch before scoring on a single by CF Ron Perodin on a ground ball that hit the first base bag and shot over the head of Jackals 1B Juan Tejeda. Later in the inning, a Kevin Rios single pushed Perodin across the plate to tie the game.

The game remained tied at four until the bottom of the seventh inning, when Jackals C Matt Lauderdale lined a two-run home run to left field to give New Jersey a 6-4 advantage. Lauderdale's tenth home run of the season proved to be the game-winner.

Vicaro (7-5) started for New Jersey and picked up the win, allowing four runs on six hits with six strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings. Sussex reliever Khalid Afify (1-1) surrendered Lauderdale's eighth-inning home run and took the loss. Jackals closer Rusty Tucker allowed two hits in the ninth inning, but worked out of the jam to notch his 21st save of the season. For Sussex, right-hander Justin Knoff started, but didn't factor in the decision after giving up four runs on six hits in six innings.

The Jackals travel to Brockton on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. to begin their final series of the season. Follow the Jackals on the road by tuning in to the team's live webcast at www.jackals.com to catch every inning of action with the broadcast beginning five minutes prior to first pitch.

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. 2008 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 28, 2008


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