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Pump Jacks Drop Shootout with Strykers

June 18, 2014 - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


In a back-and-forth clash in The Woodlands Tuesday, the home Strykers came out on top by an 8-7 score, despite the East Texas Pump Jacks climbing back from an early 5-0 deficit.

The Pump Jacks, who have struggled to score of late, tied their season high with seven runs Tuesday, including a four-run seventh inning that tied the score at 7-7.

The offensive spark Tuesday came from Bobby Webb, who went 3-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored. His three-run home run in the third inning put the Pump Jacks on the board, and an RBI single in the seventh kicked off a rally. He also added a double in the first inning.

The Strykers took an early lead with a two-run double in the first frame. An error led to three unearned runs in the second, staking The Woodlands to a 5-0 advantage.

But the Jacks began to claw back in the third. Chris Osborne, who made two spectacular, over-the-wall catches in left field, earned a two-out walk. Osborne stole second, and James Lear worked a walk of his own. That brought up Webb, who tomahawked a home run to left for his first round-tripper as a Pump Jack, closing the gap to 5-3.

The Woodlands plated a run in the fifth with three-straight singles, ultimately ending the night for Pump Jacks starter Darren Lauer. The Strykers greeted new pitcher Kyle Garvin with a base hit, a stolen base, and an RBI single in the sixth to extend the lead to 7-3. The margin appeared comfortable for the home fans... until the seventh inning.

Nick Rabat got things started with a lead-off walk. Matthew Dickey grounded up the middle and reached safely on an error by shortstop Shane Adams. When Osborne lofted a fly ball to center and Rabat was doubled off at second base, it looked like the air might be let out of the comeback.

James Lear got things going again with a single, putting runners at first and second for Webb. The Northeast Conference batting champion responded with his third hit of the night to score Dickey. Designated hitter Dustin Williams doubled home Lear for his first RBI of the season, and newly-minted Pump Jack Raymond Pedrina was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

That brought to the plate Andrew Grifol, who responded with a two-run double that scored both Webb and Williams to tie the score. The Strykers brought on Dirk Masters to close out the inning, but the damage had been done and the score was tied, 7-7.

Unfortunately for the Pump Jacks, the joy didn't last long. 2013 TCL home run champion Kevin Santana led off the home half of the seventh with a pinch-hit double. A wild pitch put the go-ahead run 90 feet from home, but Garvin knuckled down to harmlessly retire the next two hitters. With two outs, Garrett Lozano weakly grounded to third, but a charging Webb didn't have time to get him at first, allowing the winning run to score.

The Pump Jacks will play Wednesday night in hopes of splitting the series with the Strykers. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m., and fans can follow all the action on Pump Jacks TV.

After the trip to The Woodlands, the Jacks return home Thursday to kick off an action-packed four-game homestand.

The weekend kicks off with 50-cent soft drinks and one dollar draft beers on Thirsty Thursday, followed by Friday's Mist-N-Sip Giveaway Night presented by GymBox Fitness and KLTV. Saturday will be Aflac Night, when Grandstand tickets are FREE, followed by the return of Family Night presented by the Longview News-Journal on Sunday.

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Texas Collegiate League Stories from June 18, 2014


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