Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Leverton Lights out Again as Jackals Shut Down First Place Quebec

July 8, 2011 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Quebec City, QC - James Leverton struck out a career-high 12 batters and extended his scoreless innings streak to 19 2/3 frames as the New Jersey Jackals defeated the Quebec Capitales, 4-0 on Friday night at Stade Municipal.

Leverton (6-2), the reigning Can-Am League Pitcher of the Week, won his fifth straight start, hurling eight shutout innings and allowing just four singles. Leverton walked just one batter before turning the ball over to Steve Fox, who entered in the ninth inning and retired the side in order to secure the victory.

For the Capitales, who could have clinched the first-half title and an automatic playoff spot with a win, starter Karl Gelinas (5-3) fanned eight batters and threw 83 of his 117 pitches for strikes, but took the loss after surrendering four early runs before settling down.

The New Jersey offense wasted no time getting going as the Jackals took a 2-0 lead when the third batter of the contest, right fielder Leonard Davis, ripped his sixth home run of the season to right field following a single by Mike DeJesus. The Jackals tacked on a pair of third-inning runs on a Mike Jones two-out RBI double into the right field corner and an RBI single off the bat of Nick Giarraputo to extend their lead to 4-0.

After surrendering a leadoff single to begin the bottom of the third inning, Leverton retired 17 of the final 18 batters he faced to stifle the Capitales.

Offensively for New Jersey, DeJesus and Davis each scored twice with DeJesus going 2-for-4.

The Jackals and Capitales conclude their four-game series on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. when New Jersey sends southpaw Jon Kibler (0-1, 9.00 ERA) to the mound for his second start with the Jackals against Quebec right-hander Dan Sausville (4-1, 4.35 ERA). Cody Chrusciel has the call on the live webcast beginning 10 minutes prior to first pitch at jackals.com.

Jackal Bites: Over Leverton's last four starts, the Jackals have outscored their opponents 34-1... Quebec designated hitter Pete LaForest was ejected for arguing ball and strikes from the first base dugout in the bottom of the sixth inning... Mike DeJesus is 14-for-27 (.519) in the month of July... Three of Quebec's nine losses this season have come against New Jersey as the Capitales (30-9) are 4-3 against the Jackals (24-16)... The shutout marked the sixth time New Jersey pitchers have blanked their opponents this season while the Jackals have only been shut out once... At two hours and 17 minutes, the game fell one minute shy of matching New Jersey's quickest nine-inning contest this season... The Jackals are now 14-2 when scoring in the first inning... Leverton's previous career high of 10 strikeouts also came against Quebec on June 28 at Yogi Berra Stadium.

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. 2011 single-game tickets, 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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