New Jersey tops Pioneers 7-4 to Avoid Sweep
Published on July 4, 2002 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Elmira Pioneers News Release
Thursday, July 4 2002 - Dunn Field, Elmira, NY
The New Jersey Jackals built an early 6-0 advantage and stopped a late Pioneer comeback effort for a 7-4 victory at Dunn Field on the 4th of July.
The NJ victory lowers their magic number at 2 to clinch the first half title in the South Division. If Elmira wins their final 6 games in the first half, New Jersey only has to go 2-4 to clinch the title which they can accomplish this weekend of their home turf with a series against the Berkshire Black Bears.
Both team's pitching coaches dueled in the important contest with NLE June Player of the Month Joel Bennett (6-1) recording his 5th consecutive victory with 10 K's to improve his league leading total to 79.
Greg Keagle (3-5) got touched for several runs early in taking his 4th consecutive losing decision. Keagle bounced back late allowing just 1 hit over his final 4.1ip.
David Kennedy hit a 2-run HR to RF in the 1st giving NJ an early 2-0 lead. Of his 4 HR's this season, 3 have come against the Pioneers.
Chas Terni walked to lead off the 3rd and eventually scored following a single by Billy Brown and a Sac-Fly to CF by Craig Conway.
The Jackals would double their 3-0 advantage in the 5th. Mikaela Dworken drew a lead-off walk. Billy Brown tripled to deep-center over the head of Norm Hutchins to make it 4-0. Craig Conway single to left-center driving in Brown and raced around to 3rd when LF Rafael Alvarez slipped and fell. Conway scored an unearned run on a Sac-Fly by Dave Callahan and the Jackals were up 6-0.
Elmira came back with 1 in the 5th and 3 in the 6th. Newcomer Brandon Pernell hit a 2-out double to left in the 5th, just the 2nd hit of the afternoon for Elmira. Osmani Garcia singled his home to get the Pioneers on the board.
In the 6th. Ron Bush rapped a 1-out double for his 11th hit in the last 4 games. Rafael Alvarez blasted a 2-run HR to right (his 3rd) to close the margin to 6-3. Pedro Quero singled to left and scored on a Norm Hutchins triple blasted to the left-center gap cutting the deficit to 6-4. After that, Bennett was able to bear down retiring 8 straight batters. Hutchins singled to lead-off the 9th but that he was the only base-runner after the 6th inning rally. NJ tacked on an insurance run in the top of the 9th with Billy Rich doubling and then coming in when Mikaela Dworken singled to left-center off reliever Chris Brown.
The Pioneers commence a3-game series at the Allentown Ambassadors Friday night with Jeff Andra (4-4, 2.28) scheduled to start for the Pioneers. LH Justin Stine and LH Sean Brummet are the probables for the Saturday and Sunday games at Bicentennial Park. Elmira concludes the first half with a 3-game homestand Monday through Wednesday of next week versus the Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs.
Canadian American League Stories from July 4, 2002
- Surf Sets Attendance Records in Loss to Ducks - Atlantic City Surf
- New Jersey tops Pioneers 7-4 to Avoid Sweep - Elmira Pioneers
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