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Pump Jacks Suffer 12-2 Loss at the Hands of the Generals

July 21, 2013 - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


Jordan Johnson picked up eight strikeouts in just 4.2 relief innings, however six errors doomed the Pump Jacks as they fell to the Victoria Generals 12-2 Saturday night at Driller.

The fans packed historic Driller Park on Aflac Night but the East Texas Pump Jacks got their wings clipped by the Victoria Generals. The Generals took advantage of six Pump Jacks errors to pull away with the 12-2 victory Saturday night.

Jordan Johnson proved to be the shining point for the Jacks in a tough ballgame. After starter Austin Watson struggled to locate pitches, the Pump Jacks turned to Johnson who was able to hold of the Generals and carry the Jacks through 4.2 innings. Johnson allowed an unearned run on two hits, and totaled eight strikeouts including six in the span of seven batters.The eight strikeouts move Johnson to 34 on the season in 34 innings pitched, leading the starters on the Pump Jack squad.

The Jacks recorded nine hits but tallied six errors and left eleven runners on base, a theme that seems to be plaguing the Jacks in the second half of the season. Bret McAfee led the offense, driving in a run, and chipping in three hits; all infield singles.

After allowing three runs in the opening frame, and two more in the third without the benefit of a hit, East Texas plated their first run of the game in the home half of the third. Bret Bitow starting things off with a single ripped right up the middle to record the Jacks first hit of the evening. Bitow moved to second on a fly out from Wes Edrington and crossed home on an error from the Generals short stop making the score 5-1.

Victoria added another run in the sixth, on the only slip up of the night from Johnson. After striking out the first two batters, Johnson bobbled a ball hit right back to him, allowing J.B. Moss to reach base. Moss scooted over to third on back-to-back wild pitches and came home to score another run for the Generals to give them a 6-1 advantage.

The Pump Jacks got their final run of the game in the seventh. Edrington opened the frame with a broken bat liner to left to turn over to the top of the lineup. Devon Conley grounded into a fielder's choice to erase Edrington. With Conley at first base, Generals' catcher Jordan Camel attempted a pickoff, but the throw sailed high and into right field allowing Conley to advance to third. McAfee added his third infield hit of the night driving in the Red Raider from third.

The Generals tacked another run on in the eighth and exploded for five runs in the ninth to take the ballgame by the commanding 12-2 margin.

The bullpen combination of Jacob Kelzer, Mitch Meyer, and Evan Schreiber finished the game for the Jacks. Kelzer pitched an inning and allowed an unearned run on one hit with one strikeout. The Generals were able to get to Mitch Meyer who only recorded one out in the ninth and allowed five runs on two hits and two walks. Schreiber got the final two outs of the ninth, giving up a hit and a walk. Starting pitcher, Watson departed the game after only 2.1 innings, and was tagged with his first loss after allowing five runs (three earned) on three hits and three walks.

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.

After Monday off the home games continue as the Jacks welcome the Brazos Valley Bombers for a two-game series Tuesday and Wednesday.

Tuesday is Family Night presented by the Longview News-Journal. Fans can get four grandstand tickets for just ten dollars, or four tickets and four meals for the low cost of twenty-five dollars.

The homestand concludes on Wednesday for Kids Are Free Night, where Kids 12 and under get into the game at no charge!

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 21, 2013


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