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Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Jackals win third straight

June 25, 2008 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Worcester, MA - Behind the strength of a three-run seventh inning rally, the New Jersey Jackals defeated the first-place Worcester Tornadoes 5-3 on Wednesday night at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field.

Trailing 3-1 in the seventh inning, LF Andrew Larsen led off with a double. After Craig Maddox advanced Larsen to third on a sacrifice fly and CF Zack Smithlin walked, an RBI infield single by SS Casey Gordon pulled the Jackals within one at 3-2. 2B Marcus Sanders then reached on a ground ball fielders choice as Smithlin was thrown out at the plate by Worcester third baseman Mike MacMillon for the second out of the inning. The next batter, C Matt Lauderdale, was then hit by a pitch before DH Luke Allen singled home Gordon to tie the game at three. Later in the inning, a wild pitch by Tornadoes starter Eddie Pena enabled Sanders to score the go-ahead run as the Jackals took a 4-3 lead.

New Jersey added an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning when Allen lifted a sacrifice fly to left field which scored Gordon. In the bottom of the ninth, closer Rusty Tucker pitched a perfect frame to notch his league-leading ninth save of the season. Jackals starter Juan Done (4-2) pitched well, allowing three runs on six hits over six innings on the mound while walking two batters and striking out two to earn the win. Pena (4-1) allowed an unearned run in the first inning and pitched six strong innings before coming undone in the seventh as he took the loss. Pena went seven innings and surrendered four runs - three earned - on six hits while fanning out a career-high ten batters.

The Jackals opened up the scoring in the top of the first when Lauderdale, who reached on an error by MacMillon, scored on a sacrifice fly by 1B Juan Tejeda to give New Jersey a 1-0 lead. The Tornadoes countered by scoring the game's next three runs to take a 3-1 lead. In the bottom of the third inning, CF BJ Weed hit a solo home run to tie the score at one. In the fifth inning, MacMillon led off with a walk and, after a sacrifice bunt by DH Jeff LaHair, scored on a Weed double before a sixth inning home run by SS Chuck Jeroloman gave the Tornadoes a two-run advantage.

The Jackals fifth win in six games, coupled with a loss by Les Capitales de Quebec, leaves New Jersey just 2 ½ games behind Quebec and Worcester for first place in the Can-Am League. The Jackals try to earn their second sweep of the season on Thursday night at 6:05 p.m. when left-hander Isaac Pavlik faces off against Worcester righty Shaun McNamara. Catch every pitch via live webcast at www.jackals.com with coverage beginning five minutes prior to the start of the game.

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Canadian American League Stories from June 25, 2008


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