Sports stats



Jacks Clinch Sixth Straight Playoff Berth

August 5, 2013 - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


It's time for the most exciting part of the season: PLAYOFFS! The East Texas Pump Jacks have kept the tradition alive, clinching their sixth consecutive postseason berth last Sunday. The Jacks have qualified for the playoffs in every season of their existence. The Pump Jacks are seeking to become the first team in TCL history to repeat as league champion.

With the Brazos Valley Bombers and Victoria Generals picking up the first two playoff spots in the first half of the season, they secured home field advantage for the first round, single-elimination games on Saturday.

Following the change in playoff format that went into effect last year, the first round of playoffs in the TCL is a "one-and-done" affair on Saturday August 10. The TCL Championship Series remains a best-of-three series, which will begin on Sunday, August 11.

The Acadiana Cane Cutters have had a strong second half, clinching a playoff spot by virtue of their 17-9, first-place record. The Pump Jacks are 13-12 with four games remaining in the regular season, leaving the Jacks a window of opportunity to leapfrog Acadiana in the playoff race. Should that happen, East Texas will travel to Victoria for a first-round matchup with the Generals. Otherwise, the Pump Jacks will visit Brazos Valley on Saturday for a first-round date with the Bombers.

Since East Texas goes on the road for the first round, the Pump Jacks may not host a playoff game this year. However, should the Jacks advance to the TCL Championship Series, fans are assured of at least one and perhaps two home playoff games, depending on seeding.

The Pump Jacks head on the road Tuesday for a two-game series against the Cane Cutters before returning home to close out the regular season Thursday and Friday against the Texas Marshals.

With the season closing out, that means it is the last time for two of the Jacks fan-favorite promotion. Thursday is Thirsty Thursday, when fans can beat the heat and cool off with draft beers for just one dollar and regular soft drinks for only 50 cents.

Friday is the final Fireworks Friday of the season, presented by CBS 19. The Pump Jacks will set the sky afire with a spectacular postgame fireworks display set to a unique soundtrack. Friday is also Team Poster Giveaway Night, when the Jacks' annual team poster will be given to the first 500 fans. The poster is a great keepsake for the 2013 season, and a very popular item to get autographed.

Fans who missed out on Shirt Off Our Back Night can still be part of the action. Jerseys for five of the most popular Pump Jacks players--Dickey, Rossetta, Joey Armstrong, Garrett McMullen, and Mitch Meyer--are still available in an online auction through Monday, August 6.

Tickets for next week can be purchased online at pumpjacksbaseball.com; in person at the Pump Jacks office at 106 North Kilgore Street, #201, in downtown Kilgore; by phone at (903) 218-4638; or at the ticket office at Driller Park the night of the game. 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 August 5, 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