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Pump Jacks Win Thirsty Thursday Slugfest

August 8, 2014 - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


The East Texas Pump Jacks offense appears to be hitting its stride, and it couldn't have happened at a better time.

Two days after outscoring the Texas Marshals 16-1 in a doubleheader sweep that secured a playoff spot, the Pump Jacks racked up a season-high 18 hits in a 14-10 win over the Acadiana Cane Cutters.

Every member of the Pump Jacks lineup reached base at least twice, and seven Jacks starters had at least two hits. Leading the hit parade was Dustin Williams, who went 4-for-5 with a three-run homer, his second in six days at cavernous Driller Park.

The game nearly got out of hand early, but the Cane Cutters made it interesting before East Texas pulled away. The home team sent nine batters to the plate in the first inning and ten in the second, scoring five runs in each frame. Acadiana got on the board with a Chance Vincent grand slam in the fifth and a six-run seventh inning that made the home crowd squirm just a bit.

East Texas roared out of the gate, with James Lear singling to lead off, stealing second, and scoring on an RBI single by Connor Huesers. Base hits by Joe Moroney and Williams loaded the bases. Two outs later, Drew McLaughlin singled in a run, and Nick Rabat earned an RBI walk. Anthony Gonsolin's single scored Williams, and McLaughlin scampered home when the throw of center field missed the cutoff man.

The second inning was more of the same. Huesers and Moroney walked with one out, then Williams crushed a Cole Butler offering over the wall in right-center field for an 8-0 East Texas lead. Raymond Pedrina was hit by a pitch and Chris Osborne singled, and Pedrina scored when McLaughlin's grounder bounced away from the shortstop. A single by Rabat loaded the bases for Gonsolin, who drove in Osborne with a base hit of his own.

Rabat extended the lead to 11-0 in the fourth inning when he singled home Osborne, who had a one-out double.

The Cane Cutters finally got to Pump Jacks starting pitcher Ray Messner in the fifth when Vincent hit his fourth homer of the season. It was the last inning of work for Messner, who allowed four earned runs on seven hits in five innings. He walked two and struck out three in tying for the team lead with three wins on the season.

The Jacks answered back with a run in the home half of the frame, thanks to Lear at the top of the order. The sophomore speedster led off with a walk and stole second, then came around to score on a wild pitch.

Things got dicey in the seventh inning, when Acadiana sent 12 hitters to the plate and scored six runs, closing the gap to 12-10. Zach Thompson worked out of a bases-loaded jam with a popup and a fly to right, keeping the Cane Cutters from tying or even taking the lead.

The Jacks put a little more distance between themselves and the Cutters in the bottom of the seventh, adding a pair of runs. Lear singled to lead off and Huesers was hit by a pitch. Lear stole his third base of the game then scored on a base hit by Williams. Huesers scored when Pedrina grounded into a fielder's choice to give the Pump Jacks a 14-10 lead.

Thompson closed out the game, going the final 2.2 innings to earn his first save of the season. He allowed three hits, walked one, and struck out two.

There were offensive stars aplenty for the Jacks. After Williams' four hits, Rabat went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs. Lear, Moroney, Osborne, McLaughlin, and Gonsolin had two hits apiece. Lear and Huesers both scored three runs, and Moroney, Osborne, and Williams scored twice each. Pedrina was hit by a pitch twice, pushing his league-leading total to 14 on the season.

The two teams return to Historic Driller Park Friday to wrap up the regular season with Fireworks Friday. The Pump Jacks will go out with a bang, launching their final fireworks extravaganza after the game. The show will be set to a very special soundtrack, so be there for the last show of the season and don't be left in the dark!

East Texas travels to Bryan on Saturday for round one of the playoffs against the Brazos Valley Bombers. Game time is 7:05 p.m., and fans can follow all the action online at Pump Jacks TV. The winner will advance to the TCL Championship Series, and it will be the end of the season for the loser.

If the Pump Jacks advance, Game One of the title series will be at Driller Park on Sunday at 7:05 p.m. Games Two and Three would be on the road on Monday and Tuesday.

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Texas Collegiate League Stories from August 8, 2014


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