New Jersey wins series opener 7-3
Published on June 13, 2002 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Elmira Pioneers News Release
New Jersey topped the Pioneers 7-3 in a battle of pitching coaches and former big leaguers. Joel Bennett equaled a Northern League East 2002 high with 12 strikeouts in recording his 2nd consecutive complete game to turn away Greg Keagle and Elmira. New Jersey (11-9) pulled to within 1 game of 1st place Elmira (12-8) with the victory and the Jackals hope to even things up in the standings with a Friday night victory.
This was also a pitching rematch of games 1 and 5 of the Northern League East Championship series both of which were won by New Jersey. Bennett (3-1) struck out every Pioneer hitter except Osmani Garcia and didn't allow a hit after the 6th inning. He retired the final 7 batters of the game, 4 via the strike-out. Bennett pitched briefly in the major league with Philadelphia and Baltimore. His pro career began in 1991 with the Elmira Pioneers while a member of the Red Sox farm system.
No Pioneer batters had multiple base-hits in the contest. Keagle (3-2) walked 6 (1 intentional) while surrendering only 6 hits in taking the loss.
The Jackals rallied for 4 runs in the 2nd inning amidst a bit of controversy. With the bases loaded and 1 out, 2B Ron Bush thought he had turned an inning ending double-play. But umpire Jim Ferraira ruled Bush failed to tag Bill Rich running from 1st to 2nd. Despite the arguments of Bush and manager Mitch Lyden, the call would stand allowing David Kennedy to score giving the Jackals a 1-0 advantage. The inning continued for Chas Terni who blasted a 3-run HR over the left-center field wall to make it 4-0. The runs ended the Pioneers shut-out streak at 26 innings. Nelson Samboy singled in the 2nd and scored on a Dave Callahan double and Ryan Kane sac-fly giving New Jersey an early 5-0 cushion.
Pedro Quero's rbi triple to right-center in the 4th brought home Norm Hutchins to get the Pioneers on the board in the top of the 4th. Quero scored on an rbi ground pulling the margin to 5-2. A pair of walks in the 4th and an rbi single by Nelson Samboy in the 4th made the score 6-2. Elmira put together back to back lead off singles in the 6th by Ron Bush and Norm Hutchins. Pedro Quero's rbi ground-out brought in Bush to close the gap to 6-3. Hutchins advanced to 3rd on a wild pitch but was stranded on back to back groundouts by Rafael Alvarez and Osmani Garcia.
Friday night LH Justin Stine (0-3, 9.35) goes up against NJ's Steve Fish (2-1, 4.82). LH Jeff Andra and RH Eric Estes are slated for the Saturday and Sunday games of the series.
Canadian American League Stories from June 13, 2002
- New Jersey wins series opener 7-3 - Elmira Pioneers
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