Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Jackals take care of business, now they watch

Published on July 12, 2006 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Little Falls, NJ "" Playing their third consecutive do-or-die game to close out the 1st half of the season, the New Jersey Jackals again responded to the pressure by clobbering the Brockton Rox, with a final score of 10-1. Without the luxury of controlling their own destiny, the Jackals now will spend the rest of their night watching the Can-Am League scoreboard, needing Sussex and Worcester to each pick up a victory if New Jersey is to be declared the champions of the 1st half.

The Jackals sent staff ace RHP Joel Bennett (3-0) to the mound in a must-win matchup against Brockton RHP John Boker (5-2). Bennett was brilliant, working through 7 innings in the sticky afternoon heat and allowing just 1 run on a mere 3 hits and 4 walks while striking out 6. He simply made the Rox look like little leaguers, at one point retiring 9 of 10 consecutive batters. In taking just his 2nd loss of the season, Brockton's Boker surrendered 7 runs on 7 hits over 3 innings. He walked 3 while striking out 1.

After a couple of intense innings from the two teams, both fighting for their 1st half lives, New Jersey broke the game wide open in the 3rd inning. Already ahead by a slim 1-0 margin after a double into the gap by C Clay Kuklick scored 2B Joe Mihalics in the home half of the 2nd inning, the Jackals offense exploded in the 3rd, as the team batted around the lineup and went on an incredible 2-out rally to score 6 runs and make it a 7-0 ballgame.

After RF Jason Belcher committed the 2nd out of the inning, Zack Smithlin got himself into scoring position by stealing 2nd base, his 4th steal in the last 2 games. Due up next was "The Mayor" John Lindsey, and he promptly sent one over the left field fence for a 2-run homerun. RHP Boker was literally feeling the heat, and didn't do anything to help his club by plunking 1B "Big" Bill Peavey. After Mihalics smacked a base hit up the middle to put runners on 1st and 2nd, Kuklick drew a walk, loading the bases full of Jackals. SS Guillermo Reyes, who has been heating up lately both at the plate and in the field, then proceeded to empty the bases, stroking a 3-RBI double off the right field wall. Rookie 3B Andy Howdeshell played copycat, but this time off the center field wall. His double scored Reyes and concluded the Jackals' scoring melee.

The Jackals will now await the results of Sussex vs. North Shore and Worcester vs. New Haven to determine their 1st half fate. Worcester must win in order for the Jackals to take the championship. If they do, and Sussex wins one game out of their doubleheader, then the New Jersey Jackals will win the Can-Am League 1st Half Championship outright. If Worcester wins, and Sussex sweeps their doubleheader, the Jackals will tie Sussex for the title, and a 1-game playoff will take place on July 31st at Skylands Park in Sussex to determine the champion.

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Canadian American League Stories from July 12, 2006


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