Sports stats



Jacks' Bats Quieted in Victoria

July 12, 2013 - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


The Pump Jacks traveled six hours south to Victoria Thursday, but came up empty in a 3-0 shutout at the hands of the Generals

Chalk it up to a post-All-Star Game hangover, they were missing the Marlow brothers, or it was just a long drive to Victoria.

Whatever the reason, the East Texas Pump Jacks' bats couldn't get going in a 3-0 road loss to the Victoria Generals Thursday night.

Actually, the root of the problem was easy to identify: Generals starting pitcher Kyle Keller. The sophomore lefty struck out a season-high ten while giving up three hits in 6.2 innings pitched. Scouts might have called him "effectively wild" - he hit four batters but walked only one - in making his second start of the summer to go with nine relief appearances.

That's not to say Keller was the only pitcher making a good showing. Pump Jacks starter Jordan Price posted a quality start, allowing just two runs on seven hits in six innings, but suffered his second loss of the season.

For five innings, the two starters threw shutouts at each other. The Jacks struggled to get things going, getting singles from Matthew Dickey in the first and third innings. East Texas was able to put two runners on base just once against in the first half of the game, when Dickey singled with two outs in the third and Connor Huesers was hit by a pitch. But the Jacks were unable to convert and the game remained scoreless.

Price continued to scatter hits until he made one mistake - and in a pitchers' duel, one mistake can cost you. A one-out walk to Hayden Vesely brought up Jace Reese, who hit his first home run of the season to left. The homer gave the Generals a 2-0 lead and Keller got all the cushion he needed.

East Texas finally chased the Victoria starter in the seventh. Zach Jones earned a leadoff walk, and two outs later Wes Edrington hit a slow bouncer to third. Edrington beat the throw to first for the infield single, and the throw sailed wide of first, allowing Jones to lumber his way to third base. When Keller hit Dickey square in the back to load the bases, his night was done, and Daniel Tunchez Jr. come on in relief. He coaxed a first-pitch popup by Huesers to escape the threat.

Victoria picked up an insurance run in the seventh off J.J. Franklin. Joshua Holley, making his first appearance since returning to the Pump Jacks roster, pitched a perfect ninth.

Dickey picked up two singles and he was hit by a pitch, and he added two more stolen bases to reach 18 on the season. Beau Day was hit twice, lumbering to second in the fourth inning for the 230-pounder's first stolen base of the season.

The Jacks will look for a series split Friday night against the Generals when all-star Jordan Johnson takes this hill for East Texas. Game time is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

The Pump Jacks return home on Saturday and Sunday to welcome the Brazos Valley Bombers to historic Driller Park. Saturday marks the second giveaway of the season for the Jacks, when the first 500 fans will get a personal LED message fan, presented by Convergys. Beat the heat with these great personal fans, which feature a flashing message when you turn them on. Take them everywhere for a great blast of cool air and a unique way to support the Jacks, all courtesy of Convergys.

Sunday will be another Sunday Fun Day with the Jacks, presented by theGOspot.com. Enjoy $2.50 chips and salsa or $2.50 frozen margaritas and Straw-ber-ritas for the weekend event. The Pump Jacks will even have face painting for the kids, just on Sunday Fun Day presented by theGOspot.com.

To get all the news on the Pump Jacks 2013 season, including game stories and promotional updates, visit the Pump Jacks official web site at www.pumpjacksbaseball.com. Join the conversation with other members of Pump Jacks Nation by visiting the Pump Jacks on Facebook and Twitter.

• Discuss this story on the Texas Collegiate League message board...

Texas Collegiate League Stories from July 12, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central