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Jacks Earn Dramatic Extra-Inning Win

June 19, 2014 - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


The East Texas Pump Jacks have been no stranger to drama this season, and Wednesday's game was no exception. The Pump Jacks took a 4-3 lead into the late innings, only to see the Woodlands Strykers send the game into extra frames with a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth. The Jacks responded with a tally in the tenth to grab the 5-4 victory.

It was the fourth extra-inning win for the Jacks versus only one defeat, and the second time they defeated the Strykers in extras. Woodlands was also the victim in the Pump Jacks' 15-inning triumph on June 4.

The Jacks got things going in the tenth inning when Andrew Grifol led off with a double. An error by first baseman Spence Rahm allowed Drew McLaughlin to reach and moved Grifol to third. Pitcher Anthony Gonsolin redeemed himself after allowing the tying homer by lofting a sacrifice fly that plated Grifol and gave the Jacks a 5-4 lead.

Gonsolin, who started the game in right field and came on to try to close out the contest in the ninth, put the tying run on base with one out in the home half of the tenth. But he stepped up with a pair of strikeouts to earn his first win of the season.

Just like Tuesday night, the Strykers got off on the right foot with two runs in the first inning. Woodlands strung together three singles to get on the scoreboard, then benefitted from an East Texas error to stretch the lead to 2-0.

The Jacks picked up a run of their own in the second inning courtesy of Dustin Williams. The hulking freshman worked a full count before crushing his first home run of the summer to right-center field, narrowing the lead to 2-1.

Woodlands got the run right back, though, using two walks and two singles in the bottom of the second to extend the lead to 3-1.

The Pump Jacks took over the game in the third inning. Reynaldo Echenique reached on an error, took second on another miscue, and aggressively advanced to third on a wild pitch. Matthew Dickey laced a triple to right that scored Echenique easily, and Dickey too marched home when the Strykers' pitcher let the relay throw get away.

With the game now tied, Raymond Pedrina was hit by a pitch and stole second. Joe Moroney singled, and Pedrina moved to third base on Bobby Webb's fielder's choice. The newest Pump Jack scampered home on a passed ball to give the Jacks their first lead of the night, 4-3.

After the two teams combined for seven runs in the first two and a half innings, pitching took over the contest. East Texas starter Ray Messner, who allowed three runs on five hits in the first two innings, retired 16 straight Strykers into the seventh frame. He came out after scattering six hits over seven innings and allowing three runs, two of them earned.

Allen Ellis pitched a scoreless eighth before giving way to Gonsolin to begin the ninth inning. It appeared the Jacks would coast to victory until Kevin Santana, the 2013 TCL home run champion, hit his first of this season with one out in the bottom of the ninth to knot the game at 4-4.

After splitting the series in The Woodlands, the Jacks return home to kick off a four-game homestand starting Thursday. The weekend gets started early with Thirsty Thursday, when fans can keep cool with one dollar draft beers and 50-cent soft drinks.

Friday is Mist-N-Sip Giveaway Night presented by GymBox Fitness and KLTV. The first 500 fans through the gate will receive a Mist-N-Sip water bottle, with its unique combination of a spout for drinking and a trigger for a cooling mist. The bottle bears the "Boomer eyes" logo that has become so popular this season, but only 500 are available, so fans are encourage to arrive early.

Saturday marks the return of a fan favorite, Aflac Night, when Grandstand tickets are free! All general admission tickets will be free on the day of the game, or fans can visit their favorite Aflac representative for vouchers to pick up their tickets early. Fans can even upgrade to box seats for as little as one dollar!

Aflac Night is more than free tickets, though. For instance, representatives will be giving out Aflac mini talking ducks throughout the evening! Aflac will also hold a raffle during the game, with proceeds benefitting charity.

The Jacks wrap up the weekend on Sunday with Family Night presented by the Longview News-Journal. Fans can pick up four Grandstand tickets for just $10, or add four meals for only $15 more.

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