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Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Tenth Inning Walk Gives Jackals Victory

June 30, 2009 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Augusta, NJ - A bases-loaded walk by New Jersey Jackals center fielder Billy Kovatch in the top of the tenth inning scored shortstop Mike DeJesus and broke a 5-5 tie as the Jackals defeated the Sussex Skyhawks 6-5 on Tuesday night at Skylands Park. The game marked the first time the Jackals had played extra innings this season.

After rain delayed first pitch 27 minutes, the scoring began immediately. In the top of the first inning, the Jackals plated three unearned runs against Sussex starter Carter Clements. Second baseman Marcus Sanders, who had reached on an error by Skyhawks second baseman Chris Brown to lead off the game, scored on a one-out RBI single by right fielder Myron Leslie to give the Jackals a 1-0 lead. New Jersey made it 3-0 when the next batter, first baseman Juan Tejeda, lined his third home run of the season to dead center field.

However, the Skyhawks countered in the bottom of the first when RBI doubles by Brown and right fielder Maikel Jova pulled Sussex within one at 3-2.

That score held until the bottom of the fifth, when Sussex took a 4-3 lead on an RBI groundout by center fielder Jorge Moreno an RBI single off the bat of first baseman John Urick. The Skyhawks added a run in the sixth extend their lead to 5-3 when catcher Ray Serrano reached on an error before scoring on an RBI single by left fielder Ryan Crespi.

The Jackals battled back though, scoring an unearned run in the seventh to pull within one before tying the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the eighth when designated hitter Quinn Stewart scored from first on an RBI single by Tejeda on a ball that disappeared into the dense fog that had been forming over the outfield.

In the top of the ninth, the Jackals had the go-ahead run at second with two outs when Sanders lifted a deep fly ball to right center, but a spectacular diving catch by Crespi kept the game tied.

Jackals' righty Romas Hicks (2-1) earned the win in relief after working through the eighth and ninth innings without surrendering a run. Skyhawks closer Matt Petrusek (0-4) surrendered the go-ahead run in the tenth as he took his fourth loss of the season. New Jersey closer Rusty Tucker allowed a hit and a walk in the bottom of the tenth before settling down to notch his league-leading 10th save.

Neither starter factored in the decision. For the Jackals, right-hander Ted Serro allowed five runs - four earned - on ten hits with two walks and two strikeouts in seven innings. Skyhawks righty Carter Clements surrendered four runs - none earned - in 6 2/3 frames.

In his first game off the disabled list, designated hitter Quinn Stewart paced the Jackals' offense, going 3-for-4 with a run scored. Stewart missed New Jersey's last eight games with a hamstring injury. For Sussex, Jova collected three hits in five trips to the plate.

With the win, the Jackals improve to 21-10 overall and 11-3 on the road. The Skyhawks fall to 14-17 with the loss. With 16 games remaining in the first half of the Can-Am League season, New Jersey's magic number to clinch the first half title and a spot in the playoffs is 10.

The Jackals and Skyhawks continue their three-game series on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. when New Jersey sends southpaw Isaac Pavlik (3-1, 3.68 ERA) to the mound against Sussex right-hander Justin Knoff (3-1, 2.27 ERA). Cody Chrusciel has the call with the live webcast beginning 10 minutes prior to first pitch at www.jackals.com.

The New Jersey Jackals, proud members of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, play their home games at Yogi Berra Stadium located on the campus of Montclair State University in Little Falls, NJ. 2009 season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 973-746-7434. Visit the Jackals online at www.jackals.com.

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