Pump Jacks Fight, But Fall on the Road to Victoria

Published on June 19, 2013 under Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


A game that saw multiple lead changes and tied innings fell in favor of the Generals as they outlasted the Pump Jacks to take game one of the series 5-3 in Victoria.

In the battle of the No.2 versus No.3 on Tuesday night in Victoria, the East Texas Pump Jacks fought hard, but dropped a tough loss 5-3 against the Victoria Generals. The Jacks struck first, but were unable to overcome the second place Generals and get the win.

In the top of the second East Texas got their first run across thanks to a lead off home run from Joey Armstrong. On a 0-and-1 count, Armstrong found the pitch he wanted and blasted his first homer of the year over the wall in left. Armstrong's home run is the fourth for the Pump Jacks this season, joining the Marlow brothers and J.J. Robinson.

The Generals did not waste much time responding and getting on the board, as they evened the score at one in the bottom of the third inning. With two outs, Victoria took advantage of a walk and two costly Pump Jack errors to plate their first run of the game. The Pump Jacks answered back to regain the lead in the top of the fifth with great routine baseball. The frame opened up with back-to-back walks to Zach Jones and Wes Edrington. Matthew Dickey advanced both runners into scoring position with a bunt down the line, while almost beating out the throw to first for an infield single. Brooks Marlow then earned the RBI, driving home Jones from third on a sacrifice fly to give the Jacks a 2-1 advantage.

The lead changes continued in the home half of the inning when the Generals added two runs to jump back ahead of the Pump Jacks. Don Sullivan, who came on in relief for the Jacks, got into a bit of a jam when a hit by pitch, a single, and a walk loaded the bases with only one out. A double from Matt Seibert past the diving Ty Marlow scored two runs easily for the Generals. However, a great relay throw from Devon Conley to Edrington to Robinson beat the runner to the plate to get the second out of the inning and limit the run scoring to two.

In the top of the sixth the battle continued on as East Texas added another run to once again make it a tie ballgame. Garrett McMullen led of the inning with a single, and then stole second base. He moved to third on a ground out from Armstrong, and crossed home on another ground out from Conley.

However, in the next frame the Generals got the final two runs they would need, as they silenced the Pump Jacks bats and took the game 5-3. Once again the East Texas pitching staff found themselves in a bases loaded one out situation. The Generals took advantage and drove home two runs on a single from David Paiz Jr.

Riley Toler had a successful start on the hill for the Jacks, going 3.1 innings, only allowing one run on one hit and striking out three. Evan Schreiber made his Pump Jack debut and pitched 0.2 of an inning and striking out a batter. Dillon Moritz finished the game on the mound for the Jacks and pitched 2.2 scoreless innings while only allowing two hits and striking out three batters.

The Pump Jacks will look to split the series with the Generals Wednesday night in game two starting at 7:05 p.m.

The Jacks return home for a four-night homestand kicking off Thursday night, for the second Thirsty Thursday of the year as the Jacks take on the Acadiana Cane Cutters. Thirsty Thursday, the best way to beat the heat in East Texas. Fans can enjoy 50-cent soft drinks and one-dollar draft beers all night long.

The Pump Jacks wrap up their series with the Cane Cutters June 21st for Fireworks Friday presented by SWEPCO and CBS 19. The Pump Jacks will light up the night sky with a spectacular postgame fireworks show, set to a brand new soundtrack.

The fun and promotions continue on Saturday when the Jacks welcome the Woodlands Strykers. Get your very own All-Star T-shirt for Free in a giveaway presented by GymBox Fitness. The first 500 fans will receive a free t-shit bearing the logo of the 2012 TCL All-Star Game.

The four-night stint wraps up on Sunday with a double header against the Woodlands Strykers. Game one will start at 6:05 with game two following. The get all the news on the Pump Jacks 2013 season, including game stories and promotional updates, visit the Pump Jacks official web site at www.pumpjacksbaseball.com. Join the conversation with other members of Pump Jacks Nation by visiting the Pump Jacks on Facebook and Twitter.

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



Texas Collegiate League Stories from June 19, 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