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Pump Jacks Outdueled in Alexandria

July 23, 2012 - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


It shaped up to be a pitcher's duel between the Pump Jacks and the Alexandria Aces on Monday night at Bringhurst Field. Usually this season, the Pump Jacks' league-leading staff wins those types of games.

But this time, it was the other way around, as the Jacks came up on the wrong end of a 3-2 final score.

There was not much offensive output in the ballgame from either side. Alexandria first threatened in the bottom of the first, getting runners on the corners with only one out, but East Texas starter Cameron Gann induced an infield popup by Lucas Quary, and then promptly picked off the runner at first base to end the frame.

In the second, the Aces got on the board when Gann induced a double play grounder to shortstop with the bases loaded, bringing home the runner from third for a 1-0 lead, but at the cost of two outs. Gann then got the next batter to line out to minimize the damage.

That would be big for the Pump Jacks, as in the next inning, Kevin O'Leary smashed a solo home run over the high fence in left field on the first pitch of the frame by Aces' starter Michael Baxter to tie the game up at 1-1.

Alexandria would next threaten against Gann in the bottom of the fifth with runners on first and third and no one out, but Blair DeBord threw one runner out at second base, one of two on the night for the catcher. Gann then got a flyout to shallow left and a flyout to center field that John Williams made a running catch on in the gap to get the Jacks out of the jam again.

The Pump Jacks finally broke through and took the lead in the top of the seventh inning off Baxter. Logan Preston hit a sharp grounder to third base, eating up Rene' Moreda for an infield single. After a sacrifice bunt by DeBord, newest Pump Jack Damion Lovato parked a single into the outfield for his second hit of the night, scoring Preston and giving East Texas a 2-1 lead.

But that lead would be short-lived. Gann was lifted in favor of Bryce Lombardi in the bottom of the seventh after allowing a leadoff walk. That would be key, as Doug Votolato stole second and came around to score on a hit and an error on the throw towards home plate to tie the game at 2-2. An infield single and a squeeze bunt then gave Alexandria the lead back at 3-2.

The Jacks could not make another comeback against Baxter (2-0), who threw a complete game to get the win, while Lombardi (1-1) took the loss in relief. Two bright spots were Gann, who pitched six innings and gave up only two runs, and Lovato, who had the first two hits of his East Texas career in going 2-3 on the night.

The Pump Jacks will continue their four-game road trip Tuesday night in Alexandria for a rematch against the Aces. It will be the final regular season matchup between the two teams. Wednesday night, the Pump Jacks will be in Lafayette, Louisiana to play the Acadiana Cane Cutters, and Thursday night the team will travel to Bryan, Texas to face the Brazos Valley Bombers. They will return home on Friday evening for another edition of Fireworks Friday. After the Jacks face off against the Brazos Valley Bombers that night, fans can remain in their seats for another exciting fireworks show set to a unique soundtrack.

First pitch for each game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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Texas Collegiate League Stories from July 23, 2012


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