Sports stats



Pump Jacks End Homestand with a Bang

June 29, 2013 - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


The Pump Jacks scored early, and were able hold of the Woodlands Strykers for a 7-6 win Friday night at Driller Park.

With tension high at Driller Park on an explosive Fireworks Friday, the East Texas Pump Jacks' offense burst open and snapped their three game skid with a 7-6 win over the Woodlands Strykers.

The game marked the fifth time the two teams had faced off in the past seven days. The Pump Jacks jumped out to an early lead, but as fans have come to learn, games between the Stykers and Pump Jacks are a battle until the end.

The Pump Jacks opened the game with a huge first inning batting through the entire lineup, recording seven consecutive hits, and scoring five runs.

Connor Huesersstarted the hit parade with a bloop single into right center, and then advanced all the way to third on a failed pick off attempt.Mitch Meyerearned the first RBI of the night with a single to right.Joey Armstrongand new Pump JackBrett McAfeechipped in two more singles, and Meyer crossed home on a Stryker error to put East Texas ahead 2-0.

Mark Mathiasknocked home another run with a double off the wall in left, andGarrett McMullenfollowed with a first pitch single past the diving third basemen to score one more.Ryan Hopeadded the final run of the inning with a single into center giving the Jacks a 5-0 lead.

The Strykers plated their first runs of the game in the top of the fourth. After two singles, Taylor Taska hit a two-out double to plate both runners on base and bring the Strykers into the ballgame 5-2.

East Texas answered right back in the home half of the inning, adding a run on a bases loaded walk.Matthew Dickeyled off the inning with a walk and stole second for his 12th stolen base on the year. The bases were loaded with Pump Jacks after Huesers walked and Meyer was hit by a pitch. Armstrong earned the RBI by working a full-count walk to bring home Dickey from third. The Pump Jacks damage could have been worse, but a deep fly from Mathias was caught less than ten feet short of the wall for out number three, stranding the bases loaded.

The Woodlands tallied another run in the fifth thanks to three Pump Jack errors. The game was then delayed twenty minutes as one of the umpires struggled with the Texas heat and the Jacks and Strykers had to continue with just one ump.

After the short delay the Pump Jacks picked up right where they left off adding another run in the sixth to take a four run lead, 7-3.

Dickey once again opened the frame with a walk and then advanced to third on a bounding ball hit by Huesers into shallow right field. Meyer earned his second RBI of the night, lacing a single right up the middle to plate Dickey from third.

In the top of the seventh the Strykers knocked a single and then a double, putting runners on second and third, and ending starting pitcherRobert Parucha's night.

Kenny Oakleyentered the game, inheriting the two runners in scoring position with one out. He then induced a ground out that drove home a run for out number two, and struck out the final batter of the inning to end the threat with the Pump Jacks up 7-4.

The Strykers made things interesting in the top of the ninth, rallying to score two runs to bring the game within one. However, the Pump Jacks and Oakley were able to squash the rally as Oakley struck out Dirk Masters on a blazing fastball with a runner on first to end the game. Oakley earned the save pitching 1.2 innings, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out three batters.

Parucha had a great outing for the Jacks to earn his first win of the season. He pitched 7.1 innings allowing four runs, three earned, on seven hits. Parucha also added four strikeouts and did not issue any walks.

The Pump Jacks head on the road to visit the Texas Marshals for a two-game set on Saturday and Sunday.

After a day off on Monday, East Texas returns home to Driller to close out the first half of the season with a two-game series against the Victoria Generals Tuesday and Wednesday.

Tuesday isFamily Nightpresented by theLongview News-Journal. Get four grandstand tickets for just ten dollars, or four tickets and four meals for the low cost of twenty-five dollars.

Then, celebrate your holiday early with the East Texas Pump Jacks onKids Get In Free Nighton Wednesday July 3. Kids 12 and under get into the game at no cost, so come out to Driller Park and kick off your holiday with the defending champions.

• Discuss this story on the Texas Collegiate League message board...

Texas Collegiate League Stories from June 29, 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