Seven Game Winning Streak Sets Tone for Second Half

July 13, 2010 - Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release


JOLIET, IL - The Joliet JackHammers were staring a four game sweep straight in the face on the Fourth of July, but would recover for an 11-4 win over the Winnipeg Goldeyes. That victory would be followed by six straight on the road as the JackHammers wrapped up the first half at 26-22, good for third place in the Northern League.

The season best seven game winning streak highlighted a productive and franchise best first half. The 26 victories is the most by a team in franchise history, two better than the 2004 team (24-24). The offense has come alive and ranks in the top three in most offensive categories: batting average (.282, second), runs (251, second), home runs (48, third) and stolen bases (60, third). The defense has committed the second fewest errors (43) and turned the most double plays (54). All numbers that please, but don't satisfy the JackHammers skipper.

"Through getting to know each other and facing a brutal travel schedule, I am pleased with the outcome of the first half and very proud of the progression mentally of our team," commented Joliet manager Chad Parker. "I think we could have been better and I expect a much better second half."

The brutal schedule included a seven game road trip to start the season in Fargo-Moorhead and Winnipeg, a three game set in Kansas City and another trip to Winnipeg to end the first half. The JackHammers and Goldeyes met 15 times in the first half and will not play one another in the second half. Joliet captured the season series 9-6 and won the last five games against Winnipeg, including a four game sweep at Canwest Park. It was only the second time Winnipeg has been swept in a four game set in franchise history.

The perfect 6-0 road trip evened up the JackHammers road record at 12-12 with 26 games left away from Silver Cross Field this season. While the road trip put the JackHammers in third place and a season high four games over .500, Parker looks to the new additions as what really revitalized the team.

"When we were able to acquire Chris Colton, Ryan Wehrle and Josh Flores, our defense became much better and I knew we could put a run together," said Parker. "I am very surprised that all three of those guys came in swinging the bat the way they did. That gave our team a lot of confidence as a whole."

The new additions allowed the lineup to flourish and the numbers would certainly suggest that. Jonathan Wyatt leads the league with a .340 average and is third with 66 hits. Brad Correll has clobbered a league best 17 doubles and is fourth with a .404 on-base percentage. Jon Nelson ended the first half with 15 long balls, second best in the league, and Freddie Thon continues to drive in runs. His 37 runs batted in are tied for third in the Northern League.

The pitching staff has been anchored by Bear Bay, logging 70 innings (second highest total in the league) in ten starts. The JackHammer ace has also compiled a 3.34 earned-run average, tenth best. The back end of the bullpen continues to be a bright spot with William Jackel and Griffin Bailey both appearing in 22 games, third best in the league. Bailey's eight saves is third best and he saved five straight games for Joliet during the seven game winning streak.

With all facets working well right now, the JackHammers will look to the second half with great optimism and only their second playoff berth in franchise history. It's not continuing where the team left off, but where the team can go that concerns Parker.

"We have to be consistent in our approach to the game, take care of the little things and play smart baseball," continued Parker. "We can't worry about picking up where we left off, we just need to focus on what we have to do each day and take every day as a different challenge."

While starting the season with seven straight on the road was tough, the schedule makers did make it up. The final seven games this year for Joliet will be at Silver Cross Field, including 15 of the final 18 games of the year.

The JackHammers will look to gain ground right off the bat, starting the second half with a three game series in Kansas City. Joliet is 5.5 games behind the 32-17 first place T-Bones with ten games remaining between the two clubs. Joliet will also see a lot of Gary (11 games) and Schaumburg (13 times) in the second half.

Bear Bay will take the bump in game one of the Kansas City series and will be followed by Ross Stout and Todd Privett. When the JackHammers return home for a four game series on July 19th against Rockford, Rory Shortell and Devin Anderson will take the bump for the first two games to round out the rotation.

First pitch on Friday is set for 7:05 p.m. with a 6:55 p.m. pre-game show live from Community America Ballpark. You can follow the JackHammers all season long on the home for JackHammer baseball, 1340 WJOL.

Loose Gravel: The JackHammers currently have partial-season seats, mini-plan packages, group outings and individual tickets on sale. To invest in tickets, or for more information, please contact the JackHammers Ticket Department TODAY at 815.726.2255 (BALL), stop by the Silver Cross Field Box Office during normal business hours or visit the JackHammers website at www.jackhammerbaseball.com.



Northern League Stories from July 13, 2010


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