Jacks Walk off with Extra-Inning Win over Defending Champs

Published on June 8, 2014 under Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


Yogi Berra coined the phrase, "Deja vu all over again," 50 years ago watching Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris hit home runs.

Still, you'll forgive East Texas Pump Jacks fans for thinking it's about this year's hometown team.

The Jacks went into extra innings for the second straight home game Saturday night, this time walking off with a 3-2 victory in ten innings over the defending champion Brazos Valley Bombers.

Just three days before, East Texas went deep into the night for a 15-inning win over the Woodlands Strykers, a matchup that took nearly five hours and 30 minutes to complete.

This time around, it took just one extra frame for the Jacks to pull out the victory. Bobby Webb sliced a double down the right field line to lead off the tenth inning.  Connor Hornsby walked before James Lear advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt.

That brought to the plate Drew McLaughlin, who had been hitless on the night. He worked to a full count before driving a single to right-center to kick off the celebration.

Early on, it didn't look like the East Texas faithful would be going home happy. The Bombers took a 2-0 lead with one run in each of the third and fourth innings, both scoring on wild pitches.

That was the story of the night for Pump Jacks starter Tanner Cable: effectively wild. He kept Brazos Valley hitters off balance for five innings, not allowing a hit but walking six Bombers. He struck out six and allowed both runs, though only one of them was earned.

The momentum changed in the fifth inning, when a Pump Jacks rally tied the game. Lear led off with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice by McLaughlin. One out later, Joe Moroney drove in the first Jacks run with a single to left. Matthew Dickey scorched a triple into the right field corner that scored Moroney and knotted the score at 2-2.

Marshall Kasowski and Kyle Garvin pitched five innings of scoreless relief to set up the dramatic victory. Kasowski struck out four in two innings of work before giving way to Garvin. Garvin, who went six innings in Wednesday's marathon to earn the win, struck out three in three innings to earn another extra-inning nod.

While Pump Jacks pitching was holding Brazos Valley to just two hits in ten innings, the East Texas offense generated seven hits and nine walks. Dickey led the way with three hits, a walk, and the game-tying RBI. Lear walked three times, and both Moroney and Andrew Grifol walked twice.

The Jacks close out the weekend series Sunday when they host the Bombers at 7:05 p.m. Sunday is Longview News-Journal Family Night, when a family of four can get tickets for just $10.

The Jacks head on the road Tuesday for a two-game set in Victoria before returning to East Texas for a four-game homestand beginning Thursday. The opener marks the return of Thirsty Thursday, when fans can beat the heat with 50-cent soft drinks and draft beers for just one dollar.

Friday will be the first Fireworks Friday of the season, presented by Patterson Kilgore and CBS 19. The Jacks will light up the night sky with a postgame fireworks extravaganza with a new soundtrack befitting the Friday the 13th date.

Saturday will be Pump Jacks Mist-N-Sip Giveaway Night, presented by GymBox Fitness and KLTV. This unique and useful water bottle has not only a spout to drink from, but a trigger to spray a fine, cooling mist. With your Mist-N-Sip courtesy of GymBox Fitness and KLTV, you can keep cool all summer with a drink and spritz! The bottles feature the Pump Jacks "Boomer Eyes" logo, and only the first 500 fans will get one, so don't be late!

The homestand will wrap up next Sunday with the return of Longview News-Journal Family Night.

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Texas Collegiate League Stories from June 8, 2014


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