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Records Fall and Jacks Roll to a 5-2 Win

August 8, 2013 - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


Matthew Dickey continued his season for the books, picking up his 40th stolen base of the season as the Pump Jacks cruised to a 5-2 victory of the Texas Marshals Thursday night at Driller Park.

It was one for the record books Thursday night as Matthew Dickey broke the TCL single season stolen base record, and the East Texas Pump Jacks picked up a 5-2 win over the Texas Marshals to ensure they will finish with a winning record for the sixth consecutive year.

Dickey has been a demon on the bases all year for opposing teams and it culminated tonight as the speedy outfielder picked up his 40th stolen base of the season (he has been caught just five times for an 89% success rate). The Kilgore native led off the first inning and roped a single into right center to put him on the basepaths like he has been able to do all season. He quickly took off on the first pitch to grab the record originally set in 2004 by Matt Young of the Coppell Copperheads and tied in 2010 by Brock Hebert of the Texas Marshals. Dickey was immediately pulled from the game, record in hand, in front of a standing ovation from the Driller Park faithful.

The offense for the Jacks collected five runs on nine hits, but it was the pitching that led the way for the game. J.J. Franklin made his second start of the season and picked up his second win in a row, his fourth of the season. The righty threw five innings for the Jacks and allowed two runs on three hits while striking out four Marshals. Franklin turned it over to the bullpen combination of Jacob Kelzer, Bret Bitow and Kenny Oakley who finished the game without allowing a hit while picking up two strikeouts apiece.

Kelzer pitched the sixth and allowed only one batter to reach via a walk. Bitow entered the game in the seventh and retired all three batters he faced in order and followed with a 1-2-3 eighth. Oakley closed the door for the Jacks with a 12-pitch inning, allowing just one walk to pick up his fifth save of the season.

The game started out as a see-saw affair with the Marshals scoring a run in the first, and the Jacks responding in the bottom of the inning. After the single and stolen base from Dickey, Connor Huesers came on to pinch run and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Devon Conley and crossed home on a sacrifice fly to deep right from Mitch Meyer to even the game at 1-1.

The Marshals added another in the top of the third, but the Jacks got the run right back in home half of the inning. Zac Mishler got things going with a single through the hole on the first base side, and Huesers followed with a single of his own. Both runners moved up a base on a wild pitch and Conley picked up the RBI with the second sacrifice fly of the game to plate Mishler and knot the game back up at 2-2.

The Jacks broke the stalemate in the fifth with a two-out rally. Huesers sparked the Jacks' offense, advancing to first after being hit by a pitch. Huesers was able to put himself in scoring position by stealing second and moving to third on the errant throw by the Marshals catcher that rolled into center field. Conley knocked a single through the hole on the left side to plate Huesers for his second RBI of the game, giving East Texas a 3-2 lead.

The Pump Jacks added some insurance in the seventh, scoring two in the frame. Beau Day led off with a single up the middle and scooted over to second on a sacrifice bunt from Mishler. Huesers picked up his second hit of the night with a single into right and Day motored home from second, beating the throw and giving the Jacks a 4-2 advantage.Huesers stole second on the first pitch, his second of the night, and moved to third on a ground out from Conley. He then scampered home on a pass ball that bounced in and out of Chabriel Pizarro's glove for the final run of the game to push the margin to 5-2.

The Pump Jacks close out the regular season looking for the sweep of the Texas Marshals Friday night at Driller. Friday boasts two big promotions for the low price of one ticket. The night will begin with the Pump Jacks annual Team Poster Giveaway for the first 500 fans through the gates. The poster is a great keepsake for the 2013 season and it's a very popular item to get autographed. Plus, you never know which of the players on the poster will go on to play in the big leagues!

Friday evening will close out with a bang: the final Fireworks Friday of the season, presented by CBS 19. The Pump Jacks will set the sky afire with a postgame fireworks spectacular for the last time this summer. As a special treat, the soundtrack will feature highlights from this year's Pump Jacks broadcasts. This is a can't-miss event, so be sure you're at Driller Park for all the excitement.

The postseason will open with the Pump Jacks traveling to Bryan on Saturday to take on the Brazos Valley Bombers. Like last year, the first round of the playoffs is a one game, winner-takes-all affair. The victor will advance to the TCL Championship Series, while the season will come to an end for the loser.

Tickets for the final game 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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