Tornadoes Stun Jackals, Win 5-4
August 1, 2012 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Worcester Tornadoes News Release
Two and a half weeks ago, Cam Kneeland got a call from the Tornadoes offering him a chance to play professional baseball. Two and a half weeks later, he was the hero at the HIP, hitting a walkoff home run with the Tornadoes trailing in the bottom of the ninth to lift the 'Nadoes 5-4 over the New Jersey Jackals.
The Tornadoes third baseman battled against Jackals closer Keith Cantwell, fouling off eight pitches before he belted the eleventh pitch of the at-bat over the left field fence.
It was only the fifth time in the 2012 Canadian American League season, that a team has come from behind after trailing after eight innings.
The round tripper gave Nick Serino his fourth win of the season, as well as his second win in three days. Cantwell got tagged with his first loss, blowing his first save of the season for the Jackals. He failed to record an out in the bottom of the ninth, giving up the two critical runs that put the Tornadoes over the top.
Both starters had stellar outings for their sides. Steve Fox was perfect through the first four innings for New Jersey and didn't allow a hit until the sixth. Mike Gedman for Worcester lasted eight innings, giving up four runs and recorded 14 ground ball outs, which included two double plays.
Kneeland also was the first batter to reach first base for the Tornadoes in the fifth inning, breaking up Fox's perfect game with a walk. Tony Patane added the first hit for the tornadoes to lead off the sixth frame, the second time the middle infielder has broken up a no-hitter this season.
Jerod Edmondson hit the other home run for the Tornadoes, working an eight-pitch at bat against Fox before smacking a 1-2 pitch over the left field fence, bringing the Tornadoes within one after eight innings.
The Jackals got the first run of the game in the top of the first, with Chris Curran scoring on agroundout by Bryan Sabatella. Nick Salotti later pulled a home run in the top of the seventh that tied the game at 2-to-2.
Sabatella later added two more RBI in the top of the eighth for the Jackals on a 2-run single, setting up Kneeland for his late game-heroics.
The Tornadoes record their 21st win of 2012, ending an eight-game losing streak against the Jackals. The Jackals stay four games behind the first-place Quebec Capitales.
The Tornadoes and the Jackals face off for game three of the four-game set Wednesday at 7:05, with the series tied at one game a piece. Dan Sausville takes the bump tomorrow for the Tornadoes, with Dustin Birosak getting his second start at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field for the Jackals.
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Canadian American League Stories from August 1, 2012
- Salotti Continues To Dominate Former Team; Birosak Brilliant In Win - New Jersey Jackals
- Tornadoes Stun Jackals, Win 5-4 - Worcester Tornadoes
- Can-Am League Game Recap - Can-Am
- Seesaw battle leans in favor of Newark, Bears Beat the Boulders 8-7 - New York Boulders
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