Surf rallies for win
Published on June 17, 2008 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Atlantic City Surf News Release
Little Falls, NJ - The Atlantic City Surf scored two runs in the top of the eighth and three more in the ninth to erase a 5-4 New Jersey lead as the Jackals fell by a score of 9-5 on Tuesday night at Yogi Berra Stadium.
Jackals starter Aaron Tressler walked five batters in the top of the first inning to net the Surf a 2-0 lead. New Jersey would tie the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the second on an RBI double by catcher Craig Maddox, and a run-scoring single by first baseman Matt Lauderdale.
In the third inning, the teams exchanged runs. Surf left fielder Joe Burke led off the top of the frame with his second home run of the season before Jackals right fielder Luke Allen scored in the bottom of the inning on a fielders choice off the bat of designated hitter Juan Tejeda. In the fifth, the Surf re-took the lead. With two outs, Burke was hit by a pitch. The next batter, designated hitter Clyde Williams, doubled to give Atlantic City a 4-3 advantage.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Jackals scored two runs off Surf reliever Walker Whitley to take their first lead of the game at 5-4. Center fielder Zack Smithlin led off with a walk and proceeded to steal second and third. The next batter, second baseman Marcus Sanders, singled him home to tie the game at four. Four batters later, left fielder Ramon Nivar singled home Allen, who had singled earlier in the inning to put the Jackals up by one. In the eighth inning, Atlantic City bounced back to re-gain the lead. Williams led off with a walk and was lifted from the game for pinch runner Billy Kovatch. Two batters later, first baseman Eddie Kim drew a walk to put runners on first and second with one out. An RBI double by catcher William Plaza plated Kovatch before a wild pitch by reliever Justin Barnes enabled Kim to score from third as Atlantic City lead 6-5.
In the top of the ninth, five consecutive hits to begin the inning extended the Surf lead to 9-5. Following a lead-off double by shortstop Anthony Granato and a single by Burke, an RBI double off the bat of Kovatch made it 9-6. The next batter, right fielder Josh Burrus, capped the scoring with a two-run double. Barnes (0-1) took the loss after allowing three runs on five hits in 1 2/3 innings. Whitley (1-1) earned the win despite allowing two runs in the seventh inning. Kyle George picked up his first save of the season, striking out two batters while walking one in the eighth and ninth innings. Tressler settled down after a shaky start, allowing four runs on two hits over 5 2/3 innings. Surf starter Rory Shortell scattered eight hits in six innings while surrendering three runs.
Chris Kelly, the reigning Can-Am League Player of the Week continued his hot hitting, going 3-5 at the plate. Burke led the way for Atlantic City with a 2-3 performance that included a home run and three runs scored.
The Jackals and Surf continue their series tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. with New Jersey's Ryan Pacyna squaring off against Atlantic City left-hander Brian Rodaway. If you can't make it out to the game, you can catch every inning of action via live webcast at www.jackals.com with the pregame show beginning ten minutes prior to the first pitch.
Canadian American League Stories from June 17, 2008
- Kelly garners POTW honors - New Jersey Jackals
- Surf rallies for win - Atlantic City Surf
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- Rapidz lose big - Ottawa Voyageurs
- Skyhawks pull out dramatic win - Sussex Skyhawks
- Cochran pitches Tornadoes to victory - Worcester Tornadoes
- Rox can't overcome Cochran gem - Brockton Rox
- Can-Am League Teamline Direct Players Of The Week - Can-Am
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