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Pump Jacks Rake in TCL Awards

August 9, 2013 - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


Another year, another set of awards for the East Texas Pump Jacks. The Jacks grabbed two major TCL awards and placed three players on the All-TCL team, keeping East Texas the most decorated organization since the Pump Jacks joined the TCL in 2008.

After putting together the most dominating and consistent pitching performance in the league this summer, Nick Rossetta rightfully collected the TCL Pitcher of the Year award. The right-hander is leading the league with a 1.23 ERA, the lowest figure in the TCL since 2010. Rossetta is tied for second in the league in wins with a 6-2 record, and he tops the circuit with a pair of shutouts. In fact, the junior from Long Beach State has as many complete-game shutouts as the rest of the league combined.

In a team-leading 58.1 innings, Rossetta scattered 49 hits while surrendering just eight earned runs, and he struck out 41 while issuing just 18 walks. The reigning Warstic TCL Pitcher of the Week has allowed just two earned runs since he appeared in the TCL All-Star Game on July 9.

Rossetta follows former Pump Jack Kyle Kubat, who took home the TCL Pitcher of the Year crown in 2012.

Matthew Dickey was named the TCL Co-Freshman of the Year, sharing the honor with Blake Kopetsky of the Brazos Valley Bombers. Dickey ran his way to the award, setting a TCL record with 40 stolen bases on the season. The record-setting steal came in the first inning of Thursday's game, in front of the Pump Jacks faithful. The Kilgore native found an extra gear late in the season, swiping 18 bases in his last ten games.

Dickey hasn't been a one-trick pony, though. His .322 batting average is third in the league, and he has posted a .409 on-base percentage this season. He has scored a team-leading 32 runs and walked 22 times.

Dickey's title gives the Pump Jacks five straight years in which they have won the Freshman of the Year title. Last year when Kubat was the first player in TCL history to win two awards in one season. Previous award winning freshman include Matt Juengel in 2009, Zac Fisher in 2010, and 2011 honoree Hunter Dozier, who two months ago was drafted eighth overall by the Kansas City Royals.

Joining Dickey and Rossetta on the All-TCL team is third baseman Joey Armstrong. Armstrong, who started every game at third for the University of Nevada Las Vegas, has transitioned into one of the most versatile players for the Pump Jacks, spending time in the outfield as well as behind the plate.

Armstrong is batting .299 with 27 runs scored this season. He leads the league with four triples, one off the single-season record, and he ranks in the top-ten in the TCL in hits (52) and RBI (31).

Rossetta, Dickey, Armstrong, and the Jacks close out the regular season against the Texas Marshals Friday night before they head to playoffs for the sixth consecutive year.

The postseason will open with the Pump Jacks traveling to Bryan on Saturday to take on the Brazos Valley Bombers. Like last year, the first round of the playoffs is a one-game, winner-takes-all affair. The victor will advance to the TCL Championship Series, while the season will come to an end for the loser.

The TCL Championship Series is a best-of-three series beginning on Sunday. Should the Pump Jacks advance to the finals, at least one game will be played at historic Driller Park. Stay tune for details!

Remember that when the Pump Jacks are on the road, you can watch and listen to the game through our Ustream webcasts. Visit pumpjacksbaseball.com and follow the Pump Jacks TV link on the left side of the page to follow all the action.

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