Pump Jacks Sunk by Strykers

Published on June 24, 2012 under Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


The Pump Jacks could not keep their winning streak going against The Woodlands, losing two early leads and eventually getting beaten by the Strykers 6-5.

The Pump Jacks took an immediate lead in the top of the first inning, as Tyler Sullivan singled to lead off the game and was sacrificed to second by Kevin O'Leary. After John Williams was hit by a pitch, and a passed ball moved both runners up a base, Tyler Girouard came through with a sacrifice fly to put the road team up 1-0.

East Texas widened their lead to 2-0 when Sullivan walked with one out and stole two bases. With two outs and Sullivan on third base, Williams hit an infield single to score him for the two-run advantage.

After inducing inning-ending double plays in both the first and second innings, Pump Jacks starter Jacob Lindgren ran into trouble in the third. Two infield singles and one clean single to the outfield scored two runs to tie the game, and a costly error brought home a third run for the Strykers, who took a 3-2 lead.

In the fourth inning, the Pump Jacks responded. Colton Bickerstaff singled to lead off the inning and advanced to second on an error by the Strykers' center fielder. After a passed ball moved Bickerstaff to third, Justin Wall hit a ground ball to The Woodlands' first baseman Shaun Hoover. Hoover tried to nab Bickerstaff at the plate, but was unsuccessful, tying the game at 3-3. Wall was then sacrificed to third base with some heads-up baserunning when Charlie Wagner laid down a bunt, and he came around to score on Blair DeBord's RBI groundout to put the Jacks up 4-3.

But the Strykers got to Lindgren again in the fifth. With one out, two consecutive walks and a single loaded the bases, and the tying run was forced in on a hit-by-pitch, ending Lindgren's day. Braden Strickland came in the game, and The Woodlands took the lead on a fielder's choice and an RBI single, making the score 6-4 Strykers.

The Pump Jacks were able to score one more run in the seventh, when DeBord walked and eventually came around to score on an RBI single from Williams, but the offense could not complete a late rally in East Texas' first loss since June 15 at Acadiana.

A few bright spots for the Jacks were Sullivan, who went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and four stolen bases, and Williams, who had two RBIs. Strickland also pitched well in relief, throwing three shutout innings while giving up only one hit and one walk, striking out three.

Lindgren (0-1) took the loss for East Texas, while Alex Palsha (1-1) got the win for The Woodlands.

The Pump Jacks will remain at The Woodlands for a rematch with the Strykers on Monday night before coming home to face the Alexandria Aces on Wednesday night. That will be followed by another game with the Strykers on Thursday night at Driller Park.

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

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Texas Collegiate League Stories from June 24, 2012


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