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Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Ninth-Inning Rally Gives Jackals The Series Win

June 13, 2007 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Little Falls, NJ - The Jackals snagged the third and deciding game of this three game series in thrilling fashion, taking the game 6-5. In a series that saw all sorts of baseball, the Jackals responded took the momentum from their close one-run victory on Tuesday and rallied in the bottom of the ninth inning against a Worcester bullpen that had shut them down the entire series.

The Jackals gave burst out of the gates to start the game in the first, scoring three runs for starter Mike Vicaro. Right fielder Francisco Leandro walked to start the inning and was singled over to second by second baseman Zack Smithlin. On the next at bat first baseman Sandy Madera scorched a fastball into the gap in left-center field, scoring Leandro. Smithlin scored during the next at bat thanks to a passd ball, moving Madera to third. Wilton Veras, the third baseman, popped an 0-2 pitch over the second baseman's head, dropping it into "no mans" land for an RBI single.

In the fourth inning Smithlin would collect his second of three hits, driving in left fielder Alex Frazier.

As for Vicaro, he rolled through his first 5 innings of work but ran into trouble in the sixth. First baseman Chris Colabello singled to lead off the inning, and Vicaro's next pitch was blasted over right field wall for a monstrous home run by right fielder Andrew Wishy. Yohanny Valera, the catcher, walked in the next at bat, prompting Jackal manager Joe Calfapietra to go to the bullpen. During the meeting on the mound, Valera was ejected while standing on first base, causing a frenzy of confusion to ensue. When all was said and done, reliever Ryan Pacyna turned in a gem in relief, giving up no runs in 2 innings.

Justin Garza came in and struck out the first two batters in the eighth but would eventually give up a run.

In the bottom of the ninth, with the Jackals down 5-4, designated hitter Clyde Williams, Veras, and catcher Matt Lauderdale all got on leaving the bases loaded with no outs. Calfapietra turned to Jud Thigpen to pinch hit for Frazier, but Thigpen grounded into a fielders choice. Joe Mihalics then hit a slow roller to the third baseman and it appeared to be a game ending 5-1-3 double play. However, Mihalics argued that he was interfered with by catcher Patrick Perry. After a brief meeting, the umpires decdied that he was indeed interfered with, which by rule advances every runner. So rather than the game being over, the Jackals had the bases loaded with no outs and a tie score. The next batter, centerfielder Tim Turner, ripped a single to right scoring Lauderdale and giving the Jackals the victory.

Garza earned the win in relief while Eddie Pena suffered the loss as well as a blown save.

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Canadian American League Stories from June 13, 2007


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