Nelson's Walk off Lifts JackHammers Past 'Hawks 7-5
July 21, 2010 - Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release
JOLIET, IL - Jon Nelson launched a game winning two run blast well over the wall in left field, giving the Joliet JackHammers (29-25) a 7-5 walk off victory Wednesday night over the Rockford RiverHawks (24-30) in front of 7,806 at Silver Cross Field. The attendance was the second largest in the JackHammers history, trailing the 8,138 fans earlier this season for a June 19th matchup with Winnipeg.
Joliet entered the ninth in a 5-5 game and Jon Huizinga (3-1) coming out of the bullpen. Kevin Rios doubled down the left field line and moved to third on a Brad Correll groundout. Nelson trotted to the plate with two outs and slammed the 1-0 pitch for his 18th home run and the 7-5 win.
Both teams came out of the gate strong with Rockford taking an early 3-0 lead. Jason James singled and Rich Austin walked with Travis Scott singling home James for the first run. Patrick O'Sullivan followed with a two run single against Bear Bay for the three run cushion. All three runs would score with two outs.
The JackHammers responded with four in the bottom half off Kyle Ruwe. Jonathan Wyatt and Kevin Rios started the inning with singles and Correll lined out to Ruwe for the first out. Nelson grounded out and moved the runners up to second and third. Freddie Thon knocked in the first two runs with a single and Chris Colton bombed the next pitch for his third home run and a 4-3 Joliet lead.
Ruwe would settle in and surrender five runs in eight innings, allowing 12 hits while striking out six to earn a no decision.
Bay lasted five frames, snapping his consecutive outings of at least seven innings at nine games. The right-hander allowed four runs on ten hits with six strikeouts and one walk.
The RiverHawks tied the game at four in the fourth on a Kevin House single after Jono Brooks doubled with one out. Rockford would battle back again in the sixth, tying the game at five on a Michael Rocco wild pitch.
Joliet took a brief 5-4 lead in the fourth before Rockford evened the score in the sixth. Josh Flores walked, stole second and moved up to third on a Travis Scott errant throw. Roberto Mena then delivered a single up the middle to drive home Flores.
William Jackel (4-0) went the final two frames for his fourth victory while Rocco tossed two innings allowing one run on one hit.
Nelson led the JackHammers with three hits and two runs batted in. Thon and Colton each drove in two runs as eight of the nine JackHammers collected a hit.
O'Sullivan went 3-4 for Rockford with two runs batted in.
The JackHammers will look for the series victory tomorrow after taking two of the first three games. Ross Stout (5-5) will take the mound opposite Brett Durand (4-5). First pitch is slated for 7:10 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. pre-game show on 1340 WJOL.
Loose Gravel - The JackHammers walked off for the fifth time this season and collected their 16th come from behind victory - Jon Nelson extended his hitting streak to 13 games with his 3-5 performance - Will County Bowling "Strike Out Batter" participants can enjoy bowling at any one of the Will County Bowling Proprietors. Tonight Strike N Spare II at 811 Northern Drive in Lockport is our featured proprietor.
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- RailCats Return to Gary for Six Starting July 23 - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- RiverHawks Blow Past JackHammers 11-1 - Rockford RiverHawks
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