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Pump Jacks Halted by Cane Cutters

July 19, 2013 - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


The East Texas Pump Jacks jumped out early on Thursday night, but they couldn't maintain the moment and fell to the visiting Acadiana Cane Cutters 9-3 at historic Driller Park.

In the bottom of the first, Bret Bitow got things going with a single up the middle. Garrett McMullen reached first on an error by third baseman Chance Vincent, and the runners advanced to second and third on a passed ball. Joey Armstrong worked a walk to load the bases full of Jacks, bringing Mark Mathias to the plate. Mathias grounded to the second baseman to force Armstrong, scoring Bitow. A hustling McMullen read the relay throw to first perfectly, and he too came around to score to push the Pump Jacks' lead to 2-0.

The lead didn't last long, though. The Cutters responded in the next frame, plating three runs in the second to take the lead. Acadiana got on the board with an RBI grounder by Jordie Hein, and Vincent singled to center to score two and give the Cane Cutters a 3-2 lead. A sacrifice fly in the third inning pushed the lead to 4-2.

The Pump Jacks cut the lead in half in the fourth inning. 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 a bunt by Wes Edrington erased Hope at third and left runners at first and second. Matthew Dickey walked to load the bases and Bitow picked up an RBI with a sacrifice fly to right, knocking in Huesers and making the score 4-3.

The Jacks threatened to tie the game in that same inning, but they couldn't quite 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 home run by Barron to push the advantage 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.

Getting the timely hit proved to be elusive for the Pump Jacks Thursday. East Texas picked up five hits and four walks, but the home team stranded ten runners and twice left the bases loaded to end an inning.

Jordan Price started out hot, using only eight pitches to get through the first inning, but he took his third loss of the season. Price carried the Jacks through seven innings, allowing six runs on eight hits with four strikeouts. J.J. Franklin relieved Price and allowed one run on three hits with 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 their third series in just eleven days.

Saturday night is Aflac Night, when we celebrate everything Aflac. All Grandstand tickets will be FREE on Saturday, so visit the Pump Jacks offices during the day or get your tickets at the gate Saturday night to enjoy a game courtesy of 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. Get your tickets early to make sure you don't miss out!

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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