Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Knoff Upstages Pomeranz, Jackals in Skyhawks Win

July 8, 2009 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Little Falls, NJ - Despite six solid innings from starting pitcher Stuart Pomeranz, the New Jersey Jackals dropped a 2-1 contest to the Sussex Skyhawks at Yogi Berra Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. The 6-foot-7 right-hander allowed just two earned runs on six hits while striking out three and walking one. For Pomeranz (3-4) it was a good outing after having been roughed up in his previous start, but not enough to overcome Sussex starter Justin Knoff.

Knoff (4-1) allowed just one run in seven innings on the mound, scattering six hits, striking out four and walking a pair of batters. Relief pitcher Sandy Nin entered the game in the eighth inning and fired two perfect innings to earn his second save of the season. After a pitchers' duel through the first three innings, Sussex got on the board in the top of the fourth inning. Second baseman Chris Brown led off with a single and scored moments later when centerfielder Jorge Moreno ripped a double down the line in left field. The very next batter, right fielder Mikael Jova, laced a single that scored Moreno from second and made it a 2-0 game. For Jova it was his 36th RBI of the season, the highest total in the Can-Am League.

The Jackals were kept quiet until the seventh inning when they plated their only run of the afternoon. Catcher Matt Lauderdale ripped a one-out single and after a Billy Kovatch fly out, third baseman Mike Scanzano lined a single of his own to put runners at the corners with two outs. The next batter, designated hitter Quentin Davis, slapped a base hit to left that scored Lauderdale from third to make it a 2-1 contest. After Marcus Sanders walked to load the bases, left fielder Ryan Rogowski popped out to shortstop Mark Pappas to end the New Jersey threat.

That would be the last time New Jersey had a runner reach base with Nin shutting the door in the final two innings. Marcus Sanders was the only Jackals batter to have a multi-hit game, recording a pair of singles in three at-bats. For the second straight game though, the Jackals bullpen looked very strong with Romas Hicks and Seth Overbey combing for three perfect innings of relief, with Hicks striking out the side in the eighth.

The Jackals and Skyhawks conclude their three-game series on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. when New Jersey sends left-hander Giuseppe Granitto (0-1, 3.65 ERA) to the mound against Sussex right-hander Kyle Ruwe (4-2, 2.35 ERA) at Yogi Berra Stadium. Cody Chrusciel and Joey Whelan have the call with the live webcast beginning 10 minutes prior to first pitch at www.jackals.com. The New Jersey Jackals, proud members of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, play their home games at Yogi Berra Stadium located on the campus of Montclair State University in Little Falls, NJ. 2009 season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 973-746-7434. Visit the Jackals online at www.jackals.com.

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Canadian American League Stories from July 8, 2009


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