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Jacks Rally for Five in the Ninth, Fall Short 8-7

June 6, 2015 - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


Trailing by seven runs late in the game, the Pump Jacks surged back with a five-run, two-out rally in the ninth inning only to see the tying run thrown out at the plate to end the contest with a narrow 8-7 loss.

So close, and yet so far.

The East Texas Pump Jacks roared to life in the ninth inning Friday, scoring five runs with two outs before the game-tying run was gunned down at the plate to end an 8-7 loss at the hands of the Acadiana Cane Cutters. It took a perfect throw to the plate by Acadiana right fielder James Ziegler to nail Dylan Mecham at the plate, denying the Pump Jacks a chance at their first-ever victory in Tyler.

The Pump Jacks came to bat in the ninth inning down 8-2, and after a Tristan Clarke walk and two quick outs, it looked like the game would end quietly.

That's when the Pump Jacks proceeded to make some noise.

Dilon Argo delivered a pinch-hit single and T.J. Friedl drew a walk to load the bases. The newest Pump Jack, first baseman Niko Buentello, crushed a bases-clearing opposite-field double to cut the deficit to 8-5. Suddenly, the Jacks had new life.

Acadiana called on closer Alec Sanchez to seal the deal, but he left a first-pitch fastball over the heart of the plate which Jake Nash promptly sprayed to right field. Mecham and Chad McKinney drew back-to-back walks, with the latter bringing in the Pump Jacks' sixth run, and the tying run stood at second base in an 8-6 ballgame.

Clarke came to bat once again and roped a 1-0 fastball to right field for his third hit of the night. Nash scored easily and head coach Ernie May waived Mecham around third, sending the game-tying run plateward. A perfect throw from Ziegler spoiled the comeback, cutting down Mecham and ending the night with an 8-7 final.

The Cane Cutters jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first before the Pump Jacks trimmed the lead with a run in the second. With two outs, successive singles by Hunter Owens and Clarke were followed by an RBI base hit by Joey Libby to make the score 3-1.

Acadiana added three runs in the third and lone runs in the fifth and seventh innings to open up an 8-1 lead. The Pump Jacks began their comeback in the eighth inning when Friedl was hit by a pitch, Nash doubled, and Mecham walked to load the bases, then Dane Lovejoy uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Friedly to scamper home.

Clarke led the offense by going 3-for-4 with a walk, a run, and an RBI, and Nash went 2-for-5 with a run scored. Buentello's three RBI and Friedl's two runs also topped the Jacks attack.

East Texas welcomes the Brazos Valley Bombers to Irwin UT Tyler Ballpark Saturday and Sunday. Saturday is Photo Giveaway Night presented by Walgreens, when the first 500 fans through the gate receive a spectacular Pump Jacks collectible photo, the first in a collector's series of three to be produced this season.

Sunday night is Grad Night, when all graduates of any level are invited to come celebrate with the Pump Jacks. Grads who wear their graduation cap to the park can purchase reserved seats for just one dollar!

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