Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Jackals Get Even With Capitales Behind Strong Start From Serro

Published on August 8, 2009 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Little Falls, NJ - About two hours before first pitch New Jersey Jackals catcher Matt Lauderdale sat in the Jackals dugout as his team took batting practice before their second straight game against the Quebec Capitales. Reflecting on last night's 4-3, twelve inning loss, Lauderdale confidently said he thought his team would come out fired up, looking to avenge the defeat. The veteran's premonitions proved to be correct as the Jackals defeated Quebec 5-1 at Yogi Berra Stadium on Saturday night in front of a sold out crowd.

New Jersey got eight strong innings from starter Ted Serro who turned in one of his best starts of the season. The right-hander allowed just one run on six hits; he didn't walk any batters and struck out four. For Serro (6-5) the eight frames on the mound tied a season-high for innings pitched. The lone error the Brooklyn native made all night resulted in the only run of the night for Quebec, as catcher Pete LaForest blasted a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning. For LaForest, it was his 16th long ball of the season, tying him for second in the Can-Am League with Brockton's Palmer Karr.

The Jackals would answer by scoring in each of the next three innings to put the game out of reach. In the fifth, a leadoff single followed by a stolen base for right fielder Billy Kovatch set up an RBI opportunity later in the inning for second baseman Marcus Sanders who brought the runner home with his second single of the ball game to tie the game 1-1. The inning would end on a sour note for the Jackals though as first baseman Myron Leslie was ejected from the game for arguing a called third strike that ended the inning. New Jersey would shift Lauderdale to first base the next inning and bring rookie catcher Chris Chiappara into the game to catch the remainder of the game.

The sixth inning would prove to be the biggest one of the night for New Jersey, as they pushed three more runs across against Quebec starter Chris Allen. Four out of the first five batters recorded hits off Allen (4-7) who fell to 0-3 against New Jersey this season. Lauderdale led off with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by designated hitter Quentin Davis. Kovatch promptly lined an RBI-single and would move to second when third baseman Mike Scanzano followed with a single of his own. Center fielder Zack Smithlin would make it three hits in a row when he rapped an RBI-single to score Kovatch and set up a first and third situation with only one out. The next batter, Sanders, would get his second RBI of the night when he lifted a fly ball to center that allowed Scanzano to tag and score from third.

New Jersey would add one more run for good measure in the seventh off right-handed reliever Sean Gregory who would pitch the final two innings for the Capitales. After shortstop Mike DeJesus led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a passed ball, Chiarappa put down a perfect sacrifice bunt that moved the runner to third with only one out. After Lauderdale grounded out sharply to third, Davis deposited an RBI-single that made it a 5-1 game. Seth Overbey would close out the game for New Jersey in the ninth.

In all, eight different Jackals players recorded hits and Sanders, Davis, Kovatch and Scanzano all had multi-hit performances. New Jersey improved their record against Quebec to 9-6 this season and pulled within two and a half games of the first place Capitales in the second-half Can-Am League standings.

New Jersey and Quebec will conclude their three-game series tomorrow afternoon when the Jackals send veteran left-hander Isaac Pavlik to the mound. The Capitales will counter with right-hander Dan Sausville who has a 1-2 record against New Jersey this season. Joey Whelan will have the live call of the game at www.jackals.com. First pitch is set for 2:05 p.m. 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. 2009 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 8, 2009


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