Pump Jacks Roll to Seventh Straight Win

Published on July 26, 2011 under Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


Earlier this season, a franchise-high 11 current or former Pump Jacks were selected in the 2011 MLB draft. Then the Jacks clinched a division title and a playoff berth for the fourth straight season.

With a 9-6 win over the Coppell Copperheads Monday night, the 2011 Pump Jacks find themselves one win away from another franchise high.

Improving to 32-12 on the season with their seventh straight win, the Jacks have tied the franchise-record for wins in a season.

And they did it in explosive fashion.

Beau Maggi went 3-for-5 with three RBI and his second home run of the season. Kirby Pellant reached base every time he stepped into the batters box, going 3-for-3 and drawing a walk. Hunter Dozier belted a two RBI double while Jake Pinchback went 2-for-4 at the plate. Tyler Girouard extended his hit streak to 14 games with a stand-up triple in the top of the ninth. Scott Kalush and Nathan Pittman each added RBI singles to round out the Jacks offensive attack.

With two runs scored and two stolen bases, Pellant became the Texas Collegiate League leader in both categories with 36 and 22, respectively.

Brett Higginbotham picked up his second win of the season, allowing one earned run on four hits while striking out two. Dusty Ross took the mound for his fourth start this season. The University of Missouri hurler tossed 4.2 innings of strong work, striking out five to give him 29 in five appearances this season. He allowed only four hits, two of which were solo home runs.

Jason Jester came on in the ninth in a non-saves situation. He walked the first batter he faced before striking out the next two. His 20 straight scoreless innings came to an end on the next batter he faced, giving up a two-run home run to Anthony Guglielmi. He responded quickly, however, striking out the next batter on three straight fastballs to close out the game and seal the Pump Jacks victory.

Pellant reached on his first single of the contest and promptly stole second and third. Maggi scored Pellant easily on his fourth double of the season, giving the Jacks an early 1-0 lead.

The Copperheads responded quickly however with a solo shot from Morgan Mickan in the bottom half of the first, knotting the contest at one.

The Jacks added three more in the top of second, taking advantage of errors from the Coppell infield. The Jacks loaded the bases with singles from Zach Looney and Pinchback and a walk from Girouard. Pinchback and Girouard each scored on a wild pitch from Coppell starter Travis Ballew. Looney then scored on an error from the Copperhead shortstop to give the Jacks a 4-1 lead.

Pittman led off the fourth with a single and advanced to second on a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt from Jace Statum. Pellant then singled to put runners at the corners for Dozier, who belted a bases-clearing single to right field. Maggi then turned on a ball and sent it soaring over the right field wall for his second home run of the season. The shot gave East Texas an 8-1 lead.

Tyler Migl responded with a solo shot of his own to leadoff the home half of the fourth but the Jacks still led 8-2.

Guglielmi scored Quinn Boyer in the bottom of the fifth, cutting the Jacks lead to 8-3 and ending Ross ‚¬â„¢ night. Higginbotham came on with two outs and promptly ended the threat.

Nick Smelser led off the bottom of the eighth with a single for the Copperheads and scored on a double from Bo Altobelli as Coppell had cut the Jacks lead in half, 8-4.

With his hit streak on the line and two outs, the left-batting Girouard roped a line drive to the left-center wall, leading to a stand-up triple, his first of the season. Kalush then did what he does best with runners in scoring position, roped a ball over the shortstop, scoring Girouard easily and giving the Jacks an insurance run and the 9-4 lead in the top of the ninth.

Despite giving up the two-run home run, Jester struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth to secure the Jacks seventh straight victory.

The two will square off again Tuesday in Coppell with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch.

The Jacks return to historic Driller Park Wednesday for a two-game series against the Brazos Valley Bombers.

The Bombers return to town for Winning Inning Wednesday presented by Jack in the Box. If the Pump Jacks score three or more runs in any innings, every fan will go home with a coupon for a free item from Jack in the Box.

The two-game set will then wrap up with Thirsty Thursday. Fans can beat the East Texas heat with $1 draft beers, $3 frozen margaritas and 50-cent soft drinks all night long.

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Texas Collegiate League Stories from July 26, 2011


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