Surf blanked by Jackals 8-0
August 16, 2008 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Atlantic City Surf News Release
Montclair - CF Zack Smithlin's three-run inside the park home run in the bottom of the sixth was the difference as New Jersey blanked Atlantic City 8-0, to take the middle game of a three game series in a Can-Am League game at Yogi Berra Stadium Saturday night.
The game was a pitcher's duel early between Surf starter JC Huguet (8-6) and Jackals pitcher Ted Serro (4-3). In the bottom of the second, the Jackals struck first. C Matt Lauderdale led off the inning with a double, and advanced to third on a ground out from the 3B Chris Kelly. Lauderdale then scored on a pass ball from Huguet. New Jersey struck again with another run in the fifth. Ex-Surf LF Billy Kovatch led off the inning with a single, and moved to third on a single from the 2B Marcus Sanders. The SS Bryant Nelson then slapped a single that scored Kovatch, and gave New Jersey a 2-0 lead.
The game was busted open in the sixth however. RF Andrew Larsen was hit by a pitch with one out. Kovatch, who burned his former team by going 3-for-3, then singled. Then Smithlin, who hadn't hit a home run all year, picked an opportune time for his first round tripper. Smithlin hit an inside the park home run off of Huguet, which gave the Jackals a 5-0 lead which they never relinquished.
The Surf were unable to get anything going off of Ted Serro. The righty threw seven brilliant innings, allowing just four hits while striking out five and walking just one. Huguet earned the loss to drop to 8-6, and has now allowed nine earned runs his past two starts.
For New Jersey, Sanders went a perfect 5-for-5, and Lauderdale and Kovatch added three hits apiece. For the Surf, only RF Josh Burrus had more than one hit, finishing the evening 2-for-4. Despite the loss, the Surf remains just one game in second place behind Quebec after they lost to Ottawa tonight 11-3.
Tomorrow the Surf will try to take the rubber game from New Jersey in a 7:05 PM start. Lefty Brian Rodaway (9-7) will start for Atlantic City, with righty Isaac Pavlik (8-4) throwing for New Jersey.
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