Jackals rally in ninth, but fall short

May 23, 2008 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Ottawa Voyageurs News Release


A night after collecting just two hits in a 6-0 opening night loss, the Ottawa Rapidz scored nine runs on 16 hits to defeat the New Jersey Jackals by a score of 9-4 on Friday night at Ottawa Stadium.

The Rapidz jumped out to a four run lead after three innings. In the second, Ottawa right fielder Sambu Ndungidi walked to lead off the inning before coming around to score on an RBI double by ex-Jackal Juan Infante. Two batters later, catcher Kyle Geiger's RBI single plated Infante to make it 2-0 Ottawa. In the third, singles by second baseman Jose De Los Santos, first baseman Jabe Bergeron, and left fielder Jereme Milons extended the lead to 4-0.

After a fourth inning RBI single by Bergeron scored shortstop Scotty McKnight to give Ottawa a 5-0 lead, the Jackals would get on the scoreboard. Designated hitter Marcus Sanders doubled to lead off the inning and later came around to score on an RBI triple by shortstop Ramon Nivar.

Ottawa plated a run in the bottom of the sixth when center fielder Jared Lemieux scored on a fielders choice, but New Jersey would counter in the seventh. Ottawa reliever Karl Mejlholm walked the bases loaded, allowing first baseman Chris Kelly to lift a one-out sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Sanders from third to cut the Ottawa lead to 6-2.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Rapidz would blow the game open. Jackals reliever Justin Barnes surrendered three runs on four hits as Ottawa took a 9-2 lead through eight innings.

In the top of the ninth, New Jersey, down to its final three outs, mounted a rally as Sanders singled to start the inning. The next batter, Smithlin, laced a single through the right side but Ndungidi gunned Sanders down trying to advance from first to third for the first out. After Rapidz pitcher Angelo Burrows struck out left fielder Francisco Leandro, Nivar hit his second home run in as many days. The two run shot, which cleared the outfield wall and an additional fence before landing on a highway beyond the left field wall, cut the Rapidz lead to five at 9-4. The next two batters, Kelly and catcher Matt Lauderdale singled to keep the rally alive, but third baseman Scott White popped out to first to end the game.

Jackals' starter Corwin Malone was lifted in the third inning and took the loss after surrendering five runs on six hits while walking four batters. Ottawa starter Adam Hawes pitched five innings of one-run baseball to pick up the Rapidz first-ever win.

The Jackals and Rapidz continue their four game series tomorrow with a 7:05 first pitch at Ottawa Stadium. Joe Calfapietra gives Juan Done the start against Ottawa's Orlando Trias. Catch the live webcast beginning at 7 p.m. at www.jackals.com.



Canadian American League Stories from May 23, 2008


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