Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Jackals for the issue against Spirit

September 19, 2004 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Little Falls, NJ – The New Jersey Jackals forced the issue, in yet again another extra inning thriller, with a 4-2 victory over the North Shore Spirit, in eleven innings. The best of five series is now tied at two games a piece.

Both teams picked up a run in the first inning. For the Jackals, Wilton Veras doubled with two outs, scoring Craig Conway. The Spirit countered with a sac fly by Travis Oglesby, which evened up the ballgame.

Neither would score again until the bottom of the eighth. The Spirit would take the lead on an RBI triple by Frank Charles that scored Joe Hastings. After eight, North Shore led 2-1.

Facing elimination, the Jackals rallied in the top of the ninth. Wady Almonte grounded into a fielder's choice with the bases loaded, allowing the tying run to score. The run sent the ballgame into extra frames.

In the top of the eleventh, off Ryan Bicondoa, Scott Goodman singled with the bases loaded, scoring two, putting the Jackals ahead in the clutch, 4-2, and that is the way the ballgame ended.

New Jersey starter Jackson Crowther lasted seven and two thirds innings, while allowing two earned on seven hits, while walking four, and fanning three. Aaron Myers picked up the win in relief.

Bryan Morse pitched eight innings of work for the Spirit. He scattered six hits, allowed two runs, while walking one, and striking out three. Ryan Bicondoa was the loser in relief.

Game five of the Northeast League Championship Series is Monday, September 20, 2004, at Fraiser Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

The Northeast League announced its 2004 Postseason All-Star Team, Tuesday, September 7, 2004. Three members of the Jackals were selected by the managers, media, and other league officials. The League also announced its manager of the year, and Jackals' skipper Joe Calfapietra received the prestigious honor.

Shortstop Chris Rowan was selected to the team. In his second season in the Northeast League, it was his first All-Star Selection. In 2004, Rowan batted .268, with 23 homeruns, and 63 RBI. His 23 homeruns were tied for the league lead with Bangor's Derry Hammond.

Mid-season All-Star Wilton Veras was also selected to the postseason squad. Veras won the batting title of the Northeast League with a .369 average, along with five homeruns and 59 RBI. He also tallied 29 doubles. Veras was then named the 2004 Northeast League Player of the Year on Monday, September 13, 2004.

Wady Almonte, who was also selected to play in the midsummer classic, was named a member of the season ending team. Almonte batted .327 in 86 games, with nine homeruns, 64 RBI, and 29 doubles.

Manager Joe Calfapietra received this second Manager of the Year Award. Calfapietra was the recipient of the award in 2002, while managing the Gary Railcats of the Northern League. The Railcats were an expansion traveling team that Calfapietra guided to a 35-55 record.

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Canadian American League Stories from September 19, 2004


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