Jacks Explode for Nine Runs But Can't Hang On

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


The East Texas Pump Jacks returned to Dallas Friday night to battle the Texas Marshals and jumped out to a 9-4 lead early, but the latter innings were unkind once again, as the Jacks fell by a score of 12-9.

The Pump Jacks jumped to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. With one out, Brooks Marlow walked and Ty Marlow singled, then both came around to score the first two runs of the game.

The Marshals answered back in the home half of the first to take a 4-2 lead. Jacks starting pitcher Kevin Williams struggled to find the strike zone early on, opening the frame with a pair of walks. Texas raced around the bases as well, stealing six bases in the frame to help stake the Marshals to a two-run lead.

East Texas stormed back in the second, sending 11 batters to the plate and scoring seven runs. Ryan Hope opened with a walk, then singles by Connor Bitzer, Michael Hymes, and Matthew Dickey drove home the first two runs of the inning to tie the score are 4-4. The offense rolled on as Brooks Marlow hit a two-run triple, giving the Pump Jacks a 6-4 lead. Ty Marlow drove his brother home, and Garrett McMullen followed up with a double. Hope closed out the scoring with an RBI single to stake the Jacks to an impressive 9-4 lead.

In the bottom of the second, the Marshals loaded the bases but the Pump Jacks limited the damage to just one run. Texas could have rallied for much more had it not been for a double play from McMullen and Hymes. With one out and runners at second and third, McMullen caught a fly ball in right field for the second out, then rifled the ball home. Hymes blocked the plate nicely to catch Greg Martens trying to tag from third, ending both the threat and the inning.

The sixth inning once again proved to be troublesome for the Pump Jacks. One night after watching a 5-0 lead disappear with a six-run inning for the Marshals, Texas exploded for seven runs to take a 12-9 lead.

Jake Beam entered the game to get the final out of the sixth. He went on to pitch 2.1 scoreless innings, striking out two batters and allowing only two hits. Dillon Moritz added two scoreless innings of relief, striking out four batters.

McMullen, a Pine Tree product at North Central Texas College, was stellar at the plate. He finished the night 5-for-5 in the cleanup spot with two RBI and a run scored.

The Pump Jacks hit the road Saturday morning to travel to Woodlands for a two-game series against the Strykers. The first game of the series will kick off Saturday night at 7:05 p.m.

East Texas opens 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.

The Pump Jacks are offering fans free tickets to the home opener; all you have to do is connect to the Pump Jacks through social media. Like the Pump Jacks on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for your free tickets. For more information, click here.

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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