Sports stats



Jacks Unable to Solve Cane Cutters

June 20, 2014 - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


The Shirelles famously sang, "Mama said there'll be days like this." On Thursday night, East Texas Pump Jacks fans had to wonder if the Shirelles were singing about baseball.

The Pump Jacks scored six runs on 13 hits Thursday, but dropped the opener of their four-game homestand to the Acadiana Cane Cutters by a score of 17-6.

Every member of the Jacks lineup registered a hit, none of them bigger than Andrew Grifol's ninth-inning, two-run home run into the trees beyond the right field fence. It was Grifol's second blast of the season, tying him for the league lead. The round tripper was the first this season by a Pump Jacks at spacious Driller Park, known as the most difficult park in the TCL to hit a home run.

Grifol, who finished with two hits in four at-bats, along with two RBI and two runs scored, couldn't stymy an Acadiana attack that pounded out 16 hits on the evening. The Cane Cutters first got on the board with five runs in the second inning, when Jacks starter Jordon Gonzalez struggled to find a groove.

East Texas got one back in the third inning thanks to a pair of speedy outfielders. Raymond Pedrina picked up a two-out base hit, then promptly stole second base. Matthew Dickey drove him in with a sharp single of his own, narrowing the margin to 5-1.

Jacks reliever John Jaeger controlled the Acadiana offense for the next three innings before allowing a pair of runs in the sixth.

The Pump Jacks responded immediately, picking up a run in the home half of the frame. Grifol picked up a one-out single, and Chris Osborne put runners at the corners one out later with a base hit of his own. James Lear singled home Grifol to make the score 7-2.

The game got out of hand in the seventh inning, when Acadiana exploded for seven runs. East Texas picked up another run in the eighth when Osborne reached on an error, Lear singled, and Joe Moroney notched a base hit to load the bases. Pedrina was then hit by a pitch, forcing in Osborne.

The Cane Cutters added three more runs in the top of the ninth, but the Pump Jacks competitive spirit shined in the bottom of the ninth. Despite facing a sizeable deficit, the Jacks rallied for three runs, including Grifol's two-run homer.

Connor Hornsby reached on an error and scored on Dustin Williams' RBI double. Grifol then drove the first pitch he saw into the trees over the right field fence. Not done yet, Nick Rabat doubled, Lear singled, and Moroney earned a walk to load the bases. Time just ran out on the Jacks with a 17-6 final.

Lear led the Pump Jacks with three hits and Dickey went 2-for-6 with an RBI and his 12th stolen base of the season.

The series continues Friday night withMist-N-Sip Giveaway Night presented by GymBox Fitness and KLTV. The first 500 fans through the gate will receive a Mist-N-Sip water bottle, with its unique combination of a spout for drinking and a trigger for a cooling mist. The bottle bears the "Boomer eyes" logo that has become so popular this season, but only 500 are available, so fans are encourage to arrive early.

Saturday marks the return of a fan favorite, Aflac Night, when Grandstand tickets are free! All general admission tickets will be free on the day of the game, or fans can visit their favorite Aflac representative for vouchers to pick up their tickets early. Fans can even upgrade to box seats for as little as one dollar!

Aflac Night is more than free tickets, though. For instance, representatives will be giving out Aflac mini talking ducks throughout the evening! Aflac will also hold a raffle during the game, with proceeds benefitting charity.

The Jacks wrap up the weekend on Sunday with Family Night presented by the Longview News-Journal. Fans can pick up four Grandstand tickets for just $10, or add four meals for only $15 more.

• Discuss this story on the Texas Collegiate League message board...

Texas Collegiate League Stories from June 20, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central