Pump Jacks Come From Behind to Beat Brazos Valley in Extra Innings

Published on July 14, 2013 under Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


For the second night in a row, the East Texas Pump Jacks battled back with multiple runs in the late innings to tie the game. This time around, the home fans helped will the Pump Jacks to a 6-5 win on Nate Esposito's single with the bases loaded in the tenth inning, downing the first-place Brazos Valley Bombers.

After falling behind 5-1, the Jacks rebounded to score one run in the seventh and then three huge runs an inning later to tie the game at 5-5. The Pump Jacks posted four straight singles off the deflated Bombers in extra innings to steal the victory.

In the tenth, Matthew Dickey starting things off with a first-pitch, pinch-hit single up the middle. Garrett McMullen followed with a chopper through the hole on the left side, and Mitch Meyer loaded the bases with his fourth hit of the night, a blooper to left.

With the bases loaded and no outs, Brazos Valley went to the bullpen for right-hander Shay Maltese. Esposito wasted no time becoming the hero, lacing a single into right-center on the first pitch to score Dickey and seal the comeback win.

The comeback marked the second night in a row the Pump Jacks erased a large deficit late in the game. On Friday, East Texas scored five runs in the ninth inning to wipe out an 8-3 advantage by the Victoria Generals. The highlight of the rally was McMullen's three-run, game-tying home run when the Pump Jacks were down to their final out. The comeback went for naught, though, when the Generals scored in the bottom of the ninth for the win.

On Saturday, the rally began in the seventh inning and continued one frame later. Down 5-1 entering the seventh, McMullen got things started with a quick bat and aggressive baserunning. He led off by bouncing a single to left and taking a big turn at first base. When left fielder Brett Kauten made a half-hearted effort at retrieving the base hit and returning it to the infield, McMullen took the gamble and snuck into second base. Meyer lined a single off the first baseman's glove and into right, scoring McMullen and cutting the lead to 5-2.

The offense continued where it left off in the home half of the eighth inning. Devon Conley led off with a base hit up the middle, and Connor Huesers followed with an infield single. With Zach Jones at the plate, both runners moved up a base on an error by the catcher. One out later, McMullen picked up yet another big hit, this time a single to left that scored both Conley and Huesers to cut the lead to 5-4. McMullen moved into scoring position on the play on another Brazos Valley error, this one by Kauten. Meyer's base hit to right scored McMullen to knot the game at 5-all, sending the Driller Park crowd into a tizzy.

The comeback complete, the Jacks still had to hold off Brazos before walking off in the tenth. Enter all-star hurler Nick Rossetta, who took over for reliever Don Sullivan to open the ninth. Rossetta retired all six batters he faced in two innings of work to earn his fourth win of the season.

In all the excitement at the end of the game, it was forgotten that East Texas actually opened the scoring in the first inning. Jones got the offense going with a stand-up double to left, his first extra-base hit of the season. With two outs, Meyer chipped in a double of his own, a hooking shot just fair down the right field line, to plate Jones and give the Jacks a 1-0 lead.

The next five innings were quiet for the Jacks as they were unable to solve Brazos Valley starter Hayden Howard. With the Pump Jacks bats silenced, the Bombers took advantage by scoring two runs in the third, one in the fourth, and two more in the top of the seventh to open up a 5-1 lead.

Starting pitcher Austin Watson went six innings but didn't figure in the decision for the seventh time in eight starts this season. The all-star hurler was responsible for all five Brazos Valley runs, bumping his ERA for the summer by four-fifths of a run, to 2.47. Bret Bitow and Sullivan each pitched a scoreless inning in relief. Sullivan allowed a leadoff walk after taking over in the eighth inning, but he stranded the runner at third to keep the game within reach.

McMullen and Meyer, batting third and fourth in the lineup, clearly were the catalysts for the Pump Jacks offense. They combined for nine of the 14 East Texas hits and five of the six RBI, the lone exception being the game-winner by Esposito. McMullen was 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI. Meyer had a season-high four hits with three RBI, raising his season average to .442.

The Jacks wrap up the series with the Bombers Sunday night, and then after Monday off, they head to Victoria for a two-game series against the Generals.

Sunday will be another Sunday Fun Day with the Jacks, presented by theGOspot.com. Enjoy $2.50 chips and salsa or $2.50 frozen margaritas and Straw-ber-ritas for the weekend event. The Pump Jacks will even have face painting for the kids, just on Sunday Fun Day presented by theGOspot.com.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Texas Collegiate League Stories from July 14, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central