Pump Jacks Move up to #8 in the Nation

Published on July 28, 2011 under Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


Cal Ripken Jr., Yogi Berra and Carl Yastrzemski. What do they all have in common with the East Texas Pump Jacks?

They're all number eight.

While the three players all crafted Hall of Fame careers wearing uniform number eight, the Pump Jacks were named Wednesday the #8 team in the country. The franchise-high ranking was handed down by Perfect Game in their latest national poll of summer collegiate teams, released on Wednesday.

The Jacks moved up two spots from last week, when they climbed into the top-ten for the first time in team history. East Texas has made a steady climb in the polls since debuting at #23 in the last week in June. The Pump Jacks were named #14 a week later, then moved up one spot to #13 before cracking the top-ten last week.

East Texas rode a seven-game win streak to a 32-14 overall record, tying the franchise record for wins set last year. The Pump Jacks need to win only two of their remaining 14 games to set a new TCL mark for wins in a season.

The Jacks are 13-4 in the second half and hold a three-game lead over the Coppell Copperheads. East Texas already clinched the #1 seed and home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs when the team captured the TCL's first-half title.

The Pump Jacks will open the playoffs on the road on Friday, August 12, and the first home playoff game will be at historic Driller Park on Saturday, August 13. Playoff tickets will be available first to season ticket holders, then postseason tickets will go on sale to the general public next week.

Perfect Game issues weekly national rankings of summer collegiate teams, considering over 250 teams from 28 different leagues. Since many leagues are already entering their playoffs, the poll was expanded this week to include the top-35 teams in the country. The Edenton Steamers, located in North Carolina and leading the Coast Plain League with a 38-10 record, remain the top team in the country. The Hyannis Harbor Hawks (Cape Cod League) and Bethesda Big Train (Cal Ripken League) follow the Steamers.

The only other circuits to place teams higher than the Pump Jacks are the Valley, West Coast and California Collegiate Leagues. No other TCL team was ranked by Perfect Game.

The Jacks continue their four-game homestand tonight with Thirsty Thursday against the Brazos Valley Bombers. Fans at historic Driller Park can enjoy $1 draft beers, $3 frozen margaritas and 50-cent soft drinks throughout the game.

Tomorrow night is the final Fireworks Friday of the season, presented by KLTV News. This will be the last chance to see the Jacks light of the East Texas sky with the season's biggest and best fireworks show, set to a brand-new soundtrack. This is final show of the summer, so make sure to be a part of it!

On Saturday, the Jacks celebrate the return of the NFL with "Football Is Back" Night, presented by Kilgore Ford and Priority Energy Services. Fans have a chance to win tickets to a Dallas Cowboys game - that's right, the Jacks are giving away Cowboys tickets! Fans can also receive one of 200 Pump Jacks mini footballs, which will be given away at the front gate.

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Texas Collegiate League Stories from July 28, 2011


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