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Jacks Remain Ablaze, Scorch Strykers 10-5

July 10, 2015 - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


The Pump Jacks returned from the all-star break to pound out 13 hits and score double-digit runs at home for the first time this season.

With the second half of the season in full swing, the Pump Jacks are hitting their stride.

The East Texas Pump Jacks doubled up on the Woodlands Strykers Thursday night by a score of 10-5, moving their second-half record to 4-1 and retaining a share of first place.

The Jacks scored in each of the first five innings and five of the first six frames to take command of the game. East Texas racked up 13 hits and took advantage of four Strykers errors.

The Jacks grabbed the lead in the bottom of the first on an RBI single from Nick Roark. T.J. Friedl led off the ballgame with a single, Niko Buentello followed with a walk, and a potential double-play ball off the bat of Dylan Mecham was kicked around by the shortstop, loading the bases. Roark pulled a single to right that scored Friedl to put the Pump Jacks up 1-0.

The Strykers got the run back in the top of the second, but the Jacks broke the tie with a lone run in the bottom half of the inning.

Hunter Owens got the inning started with a walk, and Tyler Moore followed with a single past the third basemen. Jake Nash moved the runners to second and third with a well-placed sacrifice bunt, and Friedl drew a walk to load the bases for Brandon Grudzielanek.

Grudzielanek rolled an 0-1 pitch to the third basemen, but hustled down the line to avoid a rally-killing double play. Owens came in to score from third on the play, and East Texas went up 2-1.

The third frame proved to be pivotal. The Woodlands put three runs on the board to take a -2 lead, but East Texas answered with a four-run rally to retake the lead and control of the game.

Mecham roped a single up the middle to kick things off in the fourth, then advanced to second on a throwing error by the first basemen.

Lear hit a high chopper that pitcher Jason Braziel settled under, but his hurried throw sailed down the right field line, allowing Mecham to race home and cut the Strykers' lead to 4-3. With Owens at the plate, Lear stole second and moved to third when an errant pickoff made its way into center field.

Owens lined out for out number two, and Moore drew a walk to extend the inning. A single up the middle from Nash scored Lear to tie the game, and Friedl put the Pump Jacks in the lead for good with a two-run double that sailed over the head of the right fielder.

At that point, Pump Jacks starting pitcher Enrique Perez settled into a rhythm, holding the Strykers scoreless for the next three innings.

Meanwhile, the Jacks extended their lead with runs in the fourth and fifth.

With one down in the fourth inning, Mecham, Roark, and Lear loaded the bases with consecutive singles, and Owens drove in Mecham with a sacrifice fly to center field.

Nash and Friedl kicked off the fifth with back-to-back singles that put runners on first and third, then Buentello put the Pump Jacks up 8-4 with a sacrifice fly of his own.

The Woodlands' fifth run scored in the seventh after Perez plunked Colton Wardle with his first pitch of the inning. Wardle swiped second base, moved to third on a single, and the TCL's leader in home runs, Jerry Murrillo, pushed him across with a sacrifice fly.

That proved to be the final inning for Perez, who was making his fourth start of the season. The freshman right-hander earned his second win of the summer by allowing five runs, four of them earned, on seven hits. He walked one and struck out two.

The Jacks responded with a pair of runs in the home half of the seventh on consecutive sacrifice flies by Grudzielanek and Buentello.

Alex Lott took the mound from there and blew by the Strykers to close the door. Lott allowed three hits in two innings but struck out five without a walk.

Friedl reached base in all five of his plate appearances, going 4-for-4 with a walk, a double, and two RBI. Nash went 3-for-3 with with three runs, an RBI, and seven putouts at the hot corner.

Mecham and Roark each added a pair of hits, and Grudzielanek and Buentello knocked in two runs apiece.

The Jacks and Strykers return to action Friday to finish up their two-game series.

Friday will be the Pump Jacks' second Photo Giveaway Night of the season, presented by Walgreens. The Jacks will celebrate the team's all-stars with a glassy 8x10 photo for the first 500 fans, presented by Walgreens.

The Jacks spend the weekend in Victoria and go to Acadiana next Tuesday and Wednesday before returning home for a Thursday-Friday series against the Generals.

Thursday will be the Pump Jacks' second Thirsty Thursday of the season, presented by the original lite beer, Miller Lite. Fans can beat the heat with discounted beverages, both beer and soft drinks, and all adults will receive a Pump Jacks koozie presented by Miller Lite. Miller Lite will also be on hand to pass out other great prizes, so keep cool with the Jacks on Thursday!

Friday will be Big Screen TV Giveaway Night presented by Don's TV & Appliance. Don's and Jacks will be giving away a 55" HD Smart TV from LG, so come out to the ballpark and you may go home with a brand new TV!

Fans can also tune in to our live Ustream broadcast or follow the game with live scoring updates on our Pointstreak feed.

To follow all the news during the Jacks' inaugural season in Tyler, presented by Brookshire's, 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, Twitter and Instagram.

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