JackHammers Send Pacella To RedHawks For Justice
April 22, 2010 - Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release
JOLIET, IL - The JackHammers hit the trade market for the second time this week, acquiring outfielder Justin Justice from Fargo-Moorhead for reliever J.J. Pacella. The deal comes the day after Joliet picked up former Cubs reliever Billy Petrick.
Justice, 25, spent all of last season with the Northern League champion RedHawks, appearing in 88 games and batting .277 with 13 long balls and 51 knocked in. He led the team with eight triples, which was good for second in the Northern League, and finished with 18 doubles, 52 runs scored and 11 stolen bases. His 31 extra base hits contributed to a .524 slugging percentage, fourth best in the league.
The Florida native also contributed in the field, recording eight outfield assists and a .983 fielding percentage. Justice committed only three errors in 78 games in the outfield.
The JackHammers will send the newly acquired Pacella back to the RedHawks. Joliet acquired the right-handed reliever from Lake Erie (Frontier League) on March 31st for infielder Lee Huggins and a player to be named later.
"With the addition of Petrick to the bullpen, Pacella became expendable and I thought we needed another left handed power bat," stated JackHammer manager Chad Parker. "Justice is someone I am very familiar with and has produced good power numbers everywhere he has played."
Justice spent five seasons in the Detroit Tigers' organization after being selected in the 31st round by Detroit in 2003 out of Lake Sumter Community College. Justin reached Double-A Erie in 2008 after four seasons in A ball. The left-handed outfielder owns a career .258 batting average with 45 home runs and 299 RBI in 629 games.
LOOSE GRAVEL: The Joliet JackHammers open the 2010 season on May 21st against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in North Dakota. The Home Opener is Friday, May 28th at 7:10 p.m. against the Lake County Fielders, one of two Northern League expansion teams. Season tickets, group outings and suites are available now. For more information, call the JackHammers at 815.726.BALL (2255).
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Northern League Stories from April 22, 2010
- Northern League Transactions - NL
- JackHammers Send Pacella To RedHawks For Justice - Joliet JackHammers
- Former UIC Standout Ryan Zink Signs With RailCats - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Three-time All-Star James back with RiverHawks - Rockford RiverHawks
- RedHawks Sign Corsaletti, Acquire Pacella for Justice - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
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