Sports stats

Pump Jacks Cruise to Third Straight Win

July 24, 2014 - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


After a cool start to the summer, the temperatures in East Texas have been rising lately. The same could be said of the fortunes of the East Texas Pump Jacks.

The Pump Jacks extended their win streak to three games with a 6-3 road victory over the Woodlands Strykers Tuesday. John Jaeger pitched eight strong innings for the victory, and Connor Huesers clubbed his first home run of the season.

The win was the Jacks' fifth in their last six games and continues their fight for a playoff spot. The Pump Jacks are just a half-game behind the Texas Marshals in the overall standings, which is where the final playoff spot is likely to be decided. East Texas has reached the postseason in each of its first six seasons in the TCL.

The Pump Jacks got off to a quick start Tuesday, scoring in each of the first three innings. In the opening frame, Joe Moroney led off with a walk and came home two outs later on an RBI single by Dustin Williams. Raymond Pedrina was hit by a pitch and Chris Osborne walked to load the bases, but the Jacks had to settle for just one run in the inning.

In the second, James Lear picked up a one-out base hit and proceeded to steal both second and third. Huesers worked the count full before lobbing a fly ball down the third base line that barely cleared the left field fence. It was Huesers' first homer of the season and it gave East Texas a 3-0 lead.

The Strykers got on the board in the bottom of the second after an error and a double put runners at second and third. Kacy Clemens, son of seven-time Cy Young Award-winner Roger Clemens, lofted a sacrifice fly to narrow the margin to 3-1.

The Jacks extended their lead to 4-1 in the third inning, once again with the help of Lear. The sophomore speedster lined a two-out double down the right field line and scored on Moroney's base hit past the third baseman.

Jaeger faced some trouble in the home half of the third, when a two-run double closed the gap to 4-3. With two runners on, Osborne made a sliding catch in right field to end the threat and keep East Texas on top.

The freshman hurler settled in nicely after that, keeping the Strykers off the board for the next four innings. Jaeger went eight innings before giving way to Robbie Petty for the ninth, allowing three runs, two of which were earned. He struck out a season-high eight and walked only three while scattering six hits.

East Texas added insurance runs in both the seventh and the ninth innings. In the seventh, Osborne earned a walk, Danny Bolanos was hit by a pitch, and Connor Hornsby worked another walk to load the bases. With Lear at the plate, Osborne ambled home on a wild pitch to extend the Pump Jacks lead to 5-3.

Osborne, Bolanos, and Lear were in the thick of the action again in the ninth. Osborne picked up a one-out walk and Bolanos singled, then both runners advanced on a wild pitch. One out later, Lear poked a single between first and second base to drive in Osborne for the final margin of victory.

In the bottom of the ninth, Petty allowed a harmless two-out single and struck out one to earn his second save of the season.

Lear was the obvious leader at the plate, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Moroney went 2-for-4 with two walks and Williams was 2-for-4 with one free pass. Osborne walked three times and scored twice.

East Texas goes for the series sweep in The Woodlands Wednesday. Fans can follow all the action on Pump Jacks TV.

The Jacks return to historic Driller Park Thursday for a series against the Marshals. Not only does the two-game set loom large in the playoff race, but the series features two of the team's most popular promotions.

The homestand opens with Thirsty Thursday, when fans can keep cool with discounted frosty beverages. Draft beers are just one dollar and regular soft drinks are only 50 cents, so fans can face the heat of the playoff push with some cool drinks.

Friday is the Jacks' third Fireworks Friday of the season, presented by CBS 19. Following the game, the team will light up the night sky with its famous fireworks display. Tickets are going fast, so don't miss out on the Pump Jacks' only fireworks show in July!



Texas Collegiate League Stories from July 24, 2014


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.

Other Recent East Texas PumpJacks Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central