Madera's big bat lifts Cutters

September 2, 2007 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Haven County Cutters News Release


WEST HAVEN, CT- The New Haven County Cutters came from behind again Sunday evening after falling behind in the seventh inning to beat the New Jersey Jackals 7-5 at Historic Yale Field.

Jackals All-Star slugger Sandy Madera hit not one, but two home runs, including the go ahead bomb to right field in the seventh inning to put the Jackals up 5-4 after they blew an early four run lead. Madera's home runs were numbers 20 and 21 on the season.

RF Orlando Encarnacion, who was the hero last night by hitting the game winning home run in the seventh was the hero again tonight in the seventh as he singled home Cutters 3B Junior Zamora to tie the game at 5-5. Zamora was perhaps an equally important hero as he was going to be gunned down at the plate by Jackals CF Zack Smithlin. But Zamora plowed over Jackals C Clay Kuklick in a nasty collision at home plate, jarring the ball loose in the process. Kuklick took several moments to get up and the impact of the hit could clearly be felt throughout the stadium.

SS Chas Terni sacrificed home 1B Chris Gaskin (who had moved over to third on Encarnacion's single) with a fly ball to deep center field, putting the Cutters in front 6-5. Gaskin tacked on an insurance run in the eighth inning with an RBI single scoring CF Ervin Alcantara to make it 7-5. Gaskin finished the night two-for-four with three RBI and a run scored.

The Cutters, who have now won three straight heading into tomorrow afternoon's season finale, fell behind early as starter Trevor Marcotte gave up four runs through the first three innings. But Marcotte was stellar after that sending down 14 straight Jackals hitters before giving up the solo home run to Madera in the seventh. Madera also hit a two-run home run in the third. Marcotte (1-1) did manage to pick up his first win of the season as the Cutters took the lead for the first time in the bottom of the seventh 6-5. Kyle George (2-5) suffered the loss after surrendering the lead in the bottom of the seventh. Andy Weimer picked up his third straight save and 20th overall on the season, getting the mighty Madera to ground out for the final out of the ballgame.

The Cutters will go for the sweep of the Jackals tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 P.M., the final game of the 2007 season. Kevin Culpepper (2-4) will get the final start for the Cutters. Kevin Ool (3-2) will throw for the Jackals. The Jackals are going to the playoffs after winning the first-half Can-Am League title.



Canadian American League Stories from September 2, 2007


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