Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Jackals Outlast Tornadoes In Offensive Slugfest

Published on September 2, 2009 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Little Falls, NJ - To get a sense of how the New Jersey Jackals faired against the Worcester Tornadoes on Wednesday night all you have to know is that Peter Gilardo was on the mound for Worcester in the eighth inning. Gilardo is the Tornadoes backup catcher. New Jersey exploded for a season-high 14 runs on 15 hits in defeating Worcester 14-8 at Yogi Berra Stadium in an offensive slugfest that was within striking distance of lasting four hours and featured 22 total runs on 28 hits.

Both teams started right out of the gate as both squads plated two runs in the first inning, Worcester on a two-run home run from third baseman Chris Colabello and New Jersey on RBI-singles from shortstop Mike DeJesus and center fielder Timo Perez. Worcester would push ahead in the second though, scoring three more runs off of Jackals starter Sean Thompson thanks to a two-run double from Colebello and an RBI groundout from right fielder Carlos Sosa. Thompson would be lifted from the game for left-hander Giuseppe Granitto who allowed just one run over three and one-third innings of work out of the bullpen in keeping the Jackals close.

After New Jersey scored two runs in the third inning on a two-run home run from right fielder Myron Leslie, the Jackals tied the game at 6-6 with back-to-back RBI-doubles from left fielder Jerod Edmondson and catcher Matt Lauderdale in the fifth inning. That would be the final frame of work for Worcester starter Baron Short who last five innings, allowing five earned runs on eight hits.

The offensive duel continued its back and forth nature when the Tornadoes quickly responded with two more runs in the sixth inning on a solo home run from Sosa and an RBI-triple by first baseman Alex Pena. Following perfect suit, the Jackals cut the deficit to 8-7 their next time up when Perez drew a walk with the bases loaded to force in a run.

All of that was merely a precursor to the bottom of the seventh inning that saw New Jersey explode for seven runs and set the final score. Edmondson led off with a triple and scored moments later on an RBI-single from Lauderdale. After first baseman Chris Garcia walked, third baseman Mike Scanzano dropped a sacrifice bunt that moved the runners to second and third. After left-hander Steve Cadoret (0-1) intentionally walked designated hitter Quinn Stewart to load the bases, Worcester turned to right-hander Eddie Pena to get out of the inning. The plan backfired though as second baseman Marcus Sander blooped a two run single that scored two runs. A third would come in on the same play on a throwing error that also allowed Sanders to advance to third. DeJesus followed that with an RBI-single, his second of the ball game, before Perez laced a single of his own to put two men on. The final blow of the inning came a couple of batters later when Lauderdale lined his second RBI-single of the inning to cap the scoring in the ballgame for the Jackals.

In all, eight out of the nine players in the lineup for New Jersey crossed home plate, with that same number reaching base at least once. Leslie finished 3-for-5 with a home run, a double and four RBIs and Sanders posted a 3-for-4 night with two walks, two RBIs, two runs and a stolen base. Jackals right-hander Kevin Gunter (8-1) earned the win in relief after throwing an inning and a third of relief work, allowing just one run on two hits, while striking out one batter.

New Jersey and Worcester will conclude their series tomorrow night with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch scheduled. The Jackals will send left-hander Isaac Pavlik to the mound with the Tornadoes countering with their own left-hander in Zach Zuercher. Joey Whelan will have the live call of the game 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 September 2, 2009


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