NL Gary SouthShore Railcats

RailCats Win, Lock in St. Paul as Playoff Opponent

Published on September 3, 2005 under Northern League (NL)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release


Gary, Ind.-Jamie Bennett tossed his second complete victory of the season and became the first pitcher in Gary SouthShore RailCats history to reach double figures in wins as the RailCats defeated the Joliet JackHammers 6-2 on Saturday. The win allowed the RailCats to lock in their first round opponent in the Northern League Divisional Playoff Series. They will open the playoffs at St. Paul, Minnesota on Tuesday night against the St. Paul Saints.

The win improved the RailCats record to 53-42 and gave them a 22 game improvement over their 2004 win total, the second biggest year-to-year improvement in league history. The RailCats close out the regular season on Sunday afternoon against Joliet at U. S. Steel Yard.

The RailCats scored in the bottom of the first inning to set the tone for the night. Jay Pecci singled to left with one out, and John Schmitz lined a single to right to move Pecci around to third. Steve Haake followed with a single to right to drive in Pecci and make it 1-0.

Jose Yepez led off the RailCats fourth with a bunt single and went to second on the same play on a throwing error by Joliet third baseman Jose Amado. Scott Samuels walked and Tanner Townsend followed with an infield single to load the bases with no one out. Alex Taylor singled to right to drive in Yepez, and Curt Lee's sacrifice fly brought in Samuels to make it 3-0. Eric McNamee grounded out to short to drive in Townsend, and Jay Pecci added a run-scoring single, bringing in Taylor, to make it 5-0.

Gary added an unearned run in the eighth before Schaumburg scored a pair of ninth inning runs to close out the scoring.

Bennett did not allow a hit until Matt McCay singled with one out in the fifth. He improved his record to 10-5, breaking the club record for wins in a season and career. He surrendered six hits and walked only one with six strikeouts.

Alex Taylor led a 12 hit RailCats attack with three hits.

The RailCats host the JackHammers in the finale of the 2005 regular season on Sunday at 2:00 PM at U. S. Steel Yard. Cody Fisher (1-3, 2.71) will start for Gary against Joliet's Rich Hyde (0-0, 4.50).

The RailCats open the playoffs Tuesday night at St. Paul. Game two will be Wednesday at St. Paul, then the clubs will travel to Gary for game three on Friday at 7:00 PM at U. S. Steel Yard. Game four, if necessary, will be played Saturday in Gary at 6:00 PM. The site for game five will be determined Sunday.

Check out the Gary SouthShore Railcats Statistics

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Northern League Stories from September 3, 2005


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