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Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Jackals Launch Three Homers, But Mollica's Walk-Off Blast Helps Rockland Roll

June 18, 2011 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Pomona, N.Y. - Leonard Davis launched two of the New Jersey Jackals' three solo home runs on the evening, but it was Ryan Mollica's walk-off blast in the bottom of the ninth that carried the Rockland Boulders to a 5-4 win in the middle contest of a three-game series on Saturday night at Provident Bank Park.

With the contest tied at four, Mollica led off the bottom of the ninth and deposited a Jared Locke breaking ball onto the right field concourse for his first home run of the season. Locke (1-1), who entered in the eighth and retired the only other batter he faced to strand the potential go-ahead run on base, took the loss while Rockland closer Adrian Martin (1-0) earned the win after retiring the Jackals' side in order on just six pitches in the top of the ninth.

For New Jersey, Davis finished the night 3-for-4 with two home runs, a double, and three runs scored as six of the Jackals' seven hits went for extra bases.

After Rockland plated a first-inning run against Jackals' starter Chris Vasami, New Jersey tied the contest in the fourth when Davis knocked his first home run of the night over the right field bleachers and out of the ballpark. Rockland added four runs in the fifth to take a 4-1 lead, but back-to-back homers by Davis and catcher Myron Leslie in the top of the sixth pulled New Jersey within one at 4-3. The Jackals pulled even at 4-4 in the seventh when Davis doubled with two outs, Leslie reached on an error by newly-signed shortstop Ray Stokes, and Mike Jones poked an RBI single to center.

In the loss, Jackals' reliever Bobby Gagg struck out five batters and allowed just one hit in 2 2/3 innings as he retired eight of nine batters he faced. Neither starter factored in the decision with Vasami allowing four runs on six hits over four frames and Rockland's Jon Velasquez yielding three runs on five hits over 5 1/3 innings.

The Jackals and Boulders play the rubber match of their three-game series on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. when New Jersey sends right-hander Shaun Ellis (1-0, 4.77 ERA) to the mound against Rockland righty John Muller (0-1, 6.50 ERA). Cody Chrusciel has the call on the live Jackals webcast beginning 15 minutes prior to first pitch at www.jackals.com

Jackal Bites: The home runs by Davis and Leslie in the sixth inning marked the first time New Jersey has hit multiple homers in an inning this season... Six extra-base hits matched a Jackals' season high... Prior to the Mollica walk-off homer, the New Jersey bullpen had yielded just one earned run over 15 innings since the start of their series against Pittsfield earlier this week.

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. 2011 single-game tickets, 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 June 18, 2011


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