Jacks Drop Nail-Biter 6-5 to Open the Season

May 31, 2013 - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


The Pump Jacks slipped in defense of their TCL championship, taking a 5-0 lead before succumbing to the Marshals.

The East Texas Pump Jacks opened the 2013 season on the road Tuesday night with a 6-5 loss at the hands of the Texas Marshals.

The Pump Jacks, looking to become the first team in Texas Collegiate League history to repeat as champions, can take solace in their own history. In 2011, the Jacks lost the season opener at the hands of the Victoria Generals. East Texas went on to set TCL records for both wins and winning percentage that summer.

On Tuesday, the Jacks got off to a strong start, carrying a 5-0 lead into the sixth inning. But in baseball, one tough inning can be a game changer. That fact proved true in the opener, as the Marshals posted six runs in the sixth without recording a hit to take the lead for good.

East Texas looked strong to start off the game, jumping to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, thanks to a single off the bat of J. J. Robinson. The Jacks continued to roll, adding another run in the third, two in the fourth, and one in the sixth to take a six run lead.

In the third, Ty Marlow led off with a single, and then Robinson followed up with a single of his own to put runners on first and second. Brooks Marlow grounded into a double play, but advanced his older brother to third. Ty came around to score on a wild pitch and improve the margin to 2-0.

In the top of the fourth, Connor Bitzer reached first on an error, eventually crossing the plate on an RBI single from Brooks Marlow, making the score 3-0. The Jacks plated another run on a wild pitch from Marshals pitcher Seth Holbert,to take a four-run lead after four.

The Jacks extended the lead to 5-0 in the sixth inning on yet another wild pitch from Holbert. Matthew Dickey walked to start the inning, then stole second, advanced to third on a ground out, and then scored on the errant pitch.

Meanwhile, Austin Watson was delivering a sterling outing on the mound. Watson pitched five shutout innings, allowing just three hits while registering three strikeouts.

Things took a turn for the worse in the sixth inning, when the Jacks allowed the Marshals to creep into the game and take the lead. Pump Jacks reliever Ben Mordini, fresh off a private workout for Texas Rangers brass, struggled with his control and allowed six runs without the benefit of a hit.

The East Texas bullpen recovered nicely, though. Nick Rossetta took over for Mordini and quickly escaped a jam. He pitched 1.2 innings, striking out four batters without allowing a hit or a walk. Jordan Price finished the game for the Jacks, retiring all three Marshals in order in the ninth.

The Pump Jacks offense continued to churn, putting runners on base in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings, but they were unable to push across the trying run.

Robinson led the Pump Jacks at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three singles and an RBI. Brooks Marlow went 3-for-5, scored two runs, drove in a run, and stole a base.

The Jacks will look to bounce back Friday night against the Marshals in Dallas. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.

The Pump Jacks open their home schedule Tuesday, June 4, when they welcome the Acadiana Cane Cutters to historic Driller Park. The Jacks close out the series with the Cane Cutters on Wednesday.

Thirsty Thursday returns on June 6 when the Jacks welcome the Victoria Generals in a rematch of the 2012 TCL Championship Series. Fans can enjoy 50-cent soft drinks and one dollar draft beers all night long.

The first Fireworks Friday will take place next week on June 7, presented by Patterson Kilgore and CBS 19. After the game with the Generals, the Pump Jacks will light up the night sky with a spectacular postgame fireworks show, set to a brand new soundtrack.



Texas Collegiate League Stories from May 31, 2013


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