Pump Jacks Halted by Cane Cutters

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


As the East Texas bats cooled off, the Cane Cutters took advantage, recording 15 hits to roll to a 9-3 win over the Jacks Thursday night at Driller.

After jumping to an early lead the East Texas Pump Jacks fell flat, allowing the Acadiana Cane Cutters to take the lead and never look back, resulting in a 9-3 loss for the Jacks Thursday night at Driller.

The Pump Jacks scored in the first frame, but as the game continued the Jacks cooled off and were unable to get runners home. East Texas picked up five hits, but stranded ten runners on base including leaving the bases loaded twice to end an inning.

In the bottom of the first, Bret Bitow got things going with a single ripped up the middle. Garrett McMullen reached first on an error from Chance Vincent at third, and both runners advanced into scoring position on a pass ball. Joey Armstrong worked a walk to load the bases full of Jacks for Mark Mathias. On a hard hit fielder's choice grounder, Mathias brought home Bitow from third, and then on the throw to first to try to turn the double play, McMullen read the play well and scored from second to put East Texas ahead 2-0.

Unfortunately the lead would not last long as the Cutters responded in the next frame, plating three runs to take the lead. The Pump Jacks defense struggled, allowing the first run to come home on a Fielder's choice, then with two outs and runners on second and third, Chance Vincent picked up the other two RBI on a single to center, giving Acadiana a 3-2 lead. Then in the third Acadiana added another run on a sacrifice fly by Nathan Pugh.

The Pump Jacks crept back into the game, adding another run in the fourth to come within one of the Cutters. Ryan Hope opened the frame with a single to left for his second hit of the night. Connor Huesers was hit by a pitch and then moved to second on a failed bunt attempt by Wes Edrington, which erased Hope at third. Matthew Dickey walked to load the bases and then Bitow earned the RBI with a sacrifice fly to right, knocking in Huesers from third.

The Jacks threatened to add more in the inning, but were unable to come up with the hit they needed. With McMullen at the plate, Dickey picked up his 20th stolen base, and McMullen walked to load the bases for the second time in the inning. However Armstrong's deep fly ball to center was tracked down by Connor Barron to end the threat.

Acadiana answered right back in the next inning, returning the favor with a run of their own on a two-out bomb from Barron over the wall in right to push the gap back to two, 5-3. The Cutters added some insurance in the eighth and ninth, tallying four more runs to take the ballgame 9-3.

Jordan Price started out hot, needing only eight pitches to get through the first inning, but then found himself in a bit of trouble which resulted in his third loss of the season. Price carried the Jacks through seven innings, allowing six runs on eight hits and picked up four strikeouts. J.J. Franklin relieved Price and allowed an inherited runner to score as well as one of his own on three hits, and recording one strikeout. Joshua Holley pitched the ninth for the Jacks and allowed two runs on four hits.

The Pump Jacks look to rebound for the series split Friday night in the final game of the two-game set with the Cutters.

Friday night marks the next installment of the Jacks' ever-popular Fireworks Friday, presented by CBS 19. Following the game the Jacks will light up the night sky with a spectacular fireworks show. Every fireworks display features a new and unique soundtrack, and this one is a family favorite: game shows! So channel your inner Monty Hall, Richard Dawson, or Alex Trebek, and join the Jacks to see why the survey says the Pump Jacks' Fireworks Friday is the final answer.

The festivities continue over the weekend, when the Jacks face off against the Victoria General for the third series in just eleven days.

Saturday night is Aflac Night, when we celebrate everything Aflac. The Pump Jacks will be giving away 300 Aflac talking mini-ducks, and there will be a memorabilia raffle during the game with all proceeds going to charity. Check with your local Aflac representative for FREE tickets to the game.

The four-game stint concludes with Sunday Fun Day, 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, exclusively on Sunday Fun Day presented by theGOspot.com.

Tickets for the weekend can be purchased online at pumpjacksbaseball.com; in person at the Pump Jacks office at 106 North Kilgore Street, #201, in downtown Kilgore; by phone at (903) 218-4638; or at the ticket office at Driller Park the night of the game.

To 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.

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Texas Collegiate League Stories from July 19, 2013


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