Jacks End Regular Season in Bizare Fashion

Published on August 10, 2013 under Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


Zac Mishler tossed a complete game effort, and carried a scoreless game into extra innings, but the East Texas Pump Jacks and Texas Marshals ended the regular season in a tie Friday night at Historic Driller.

In a game called due to a medical issue, the East Texas Pump Jacks and Texas Marshals finished the regular season in the first ever scoreless tie ballgame in TCL history.

The atmosphere was electric as the Driller Park faithful packed the ballpark to see their 2013 Pump Jacks one last time at home in the regular season, and enjoy the final Fireworks Friday of the year. Chants carried throughout the game as they watched a perfectly even-matched and exciting game.

It was a good ole fashioned pitchers duel that saw an unordinary outcome, as neither pitcher came away with the win, though both were well deserving.

In his second appearance on the mound, Zac Mishler pitched 9.2 innings of shutout baseball scattering just eight hits. Mishler recorded seven strikeouts on the night, including fanning Zachary Marberry four times without walking a single batter. The righty needed just 109 pitches to complete the game, throwing 79 for strikes.

His counter part on the mound, Connor Comacho was a worthy opponent, lasting eight innings before giving way to Nick Palacios for the ninth.

The Jacks picked up five hits on the night but were unable to get runners home, stranding one runner in each frame. Bret Bitow picked up a double, his sixth of the season, and his third in his last three starts. Devon Conley, Mark Mathias, Ben Mordini, and Micheal Hymes all chipped in a single to total the five hits.

Both pitchers did a great job of working around base runners to secure the scoreless game, with a total of 18 runners left on the base path. In the top of the six the Marshals knocked on the door with a lead off single from Chabriel Pizarro. Mishler battled back to get the first out on a fly ball but then allowed a double to Morris Valenzula into right center, which saw Pizarro attempt to score from first. However, the Jacks defense came to the aid of their pitcher. Garrett McMullen chased down the ball near the wall and showed off his tremendous arm, perfectly hitting second basemen Hymes who relayed a one-hopper to Beau Day who applied the tag to Pizarro, keeping the shutout intact.

A medical issue for one of the Texas Marshals forced the game to be delayed in the top of the tenth with nobody on base and two outs. After the delay, both teams decided to end the game, thus closing out the 2013 regular season in the unique fashion.

The Jacks finish their sixth consecutive with a winning record, posting a 30-28-1 mark. The Jacks have had a winning record in each year of their existence and made the playoffs in every single year as well. With the tie, the Jacks also complete a stellar season at Driller where they steamrolled opponents to the tune of a 21-9-1 record.

The postseason will open with the Pump Jacks traveling to Bryan on Saturday to take on the Brazos Valley Bombers. Like last year, the first round of the playoffs is a one-game, winner-takes-all affair. The victor will advance to the TCL Championship Series, while the season will come to an end for the loser.

The TCL Championship Series is a best-of-three series beginning on Sunday. Should the Pump Jacks advance to the finals, at least one game will be played at historic Driller Park. Stay tune for details!

Remember that when the Pump Jacks are on the road, you can watch and listen to the game through our Ustream webcasts. Visit pumpjacksbaseball.com and follow the Pump Jacks TV link on the left side of the page to follow all the action.

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.



Texas Collegiate League Stories from August 10, 2013


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