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Jacks Fall Yet Inch Closer to a Playoff Spot

August 4, 2014 - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


If there has been one theme this summer for the East Texas Pump Jacks, it's been drama. Nearly every game comes down to the late innings, with walk-off victories and gut-wrenching near misses becoming the norm.

It turns out the same can be said of the season as a whole.

The Pump Jacks head into the final week of the regular season with a half-game lead over the Texas Marshals following losses by both squads Sunday night. The Pump Jacks dropped a 7-5 decision to the visiting Brazos Valley Bombers, while the Marshals lost to the Woodlands Strykers.

Both teams have four games remaining, and they meet in Dallas for a pivotal doubleheader on Tuesday. Should the Jacks sweep the two games, they would earn a postseason berth for the seventh consecutive season. Fans can follow all the action on Pump Jacks TV beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The Pump Jacks fought valiantly Sunday, battling back from a 6-1 hole to close to within a run. They turned to a pair of new hurlers, Jordan White and Zach Thompson, who were making their respective debuts at Historic Driller Park.

White got the start and got off on the right foot. He allowed a two-out single in the first, then promptly saw G.R. Hinsley thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning.

The Pump Jacks staked White to a lead in the home half of the frame. James Lear led off the inning with a single, extending his streak to 15 games in row in which he has reached base safely. He then stole second and moved to third on Connor Huesers' groundout. Joe Moroney's bouncer to second was mishandled, allowing Lear to score the first run of the game.

Staked to a 1-0 lead, White ran into trouble in the second. Three straight base hits tied the game, and a two-run double and an RBI single quickly gave the Bombers a 4-1 lead. White was able to strand the bases loaded to halt the rally.

The third inning continued to present problems for the tall right-hander. Brazos Valley pushed two more runs across to take a 6-1 lead, forcing the Jacks to bring in Thompson to finish out the frame.

The diminutive lefty held the Bombers at bay over the next four innings, scattering three hits over 4.2 shutout innings. He struck out two and walked four, deftly dodging baserunners and avoiding threats.

This gave the Pump Jacks the chance to get back into the game, an opportunity they took advantage of. In the fourth inning, RBI singles by Nick Rabat and Chris Osborne cut the lead to 6-3. Raymond Pedrina led off the inning with a double and Connor Hornsby earned a walk in a nine-pitch at-bat. One out later, Rabat drove in Hornsby and Osborne followed by bringing home Drew McLaughlin.

East Texas further chiseled away in the fifth inning, doing all their damage with two outs. Dustin Williams picked up his team-leading ninth double of the season and Pedrina singled to put runners at the corners. A base hit by Hornsby plated Williams and an RBI single from McLaughlin scored Pedrina to make the score 6-5.

The Jacks had a chance to even the score but couldn't get that elusive next hit. Rabat walked to load the bases, but the Pump Jacks had to settle for getting to within one run.

It was the best opportunity the Pump Jacks would have to tie the game. East Texas put one runner on base in each of the next three innings, but they never really threatened again.

Brazos Valley picked up an insurance run in the eighth to close out the scoring at 7-5.

White took the loss, allowing six runs, four of them earned, in 2.1 innings. Danny Bolanos allowed one run on two hits and a walk in the eighth. Robbie Petty pitched a perfect ninth inning.

At the plate, eight of the Pump Jacks nine starters had at least one hit. Huesers, Pedrina, Hornsby, and McLaughlin had two hits apiece to lead the 13-hit attack.

The Pump Jacks will get a much-needed day of rest on Monday before embarking on their most important trip of the season Tuesday to Dallas. The results of the doubleheader against the Marshals will go a long way to determining the fourth seed in the TCL playoffs.

The Jacks return home for the final two games of the regular season Thursday and Friday against the Acadiana Cane Cutters. Thursday is Thirsty Thursday, when fans can keep cool during the heat of the playoff chase with dollar draft beers and 50-cent soft drinks.

The Pump Jacks saved the very best for the very last game of the season: Fireworks Friday. The fourth and final fireworks show of 2014 will follow the Jacks regular season finale, set to a brand-new soundtrack. It'll make for an explosive conclusion to the regular season, so don't miss it!



Texas Collegiate League Stories from August 4, 2014


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