Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Wideman Returns to Form as Jackals Extend Winning Streak to Seven

June 26, 2011 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Brockton, Mass. - A.J. Wideman turned in his best start of the season as the New Jersey Jackals defeated the Brockton Rox 4-0 to sweep the three-game series and win their seventh straight contest on Sunday afternoon at Campanelli Stadium.

In his fourth start of the year, Wideman tossed 5 2/3 shutout innings and allowed just three hits. Mike Petrowski followed Wideman and retired four of five batters he faced in his Jackals' debut before Jared Locke tossed a scoreless inning. Steve Fox entered in the ninth with a runner aboard and loaded the bases, but escaped the jam to preserve the shutout and notch his second save in as many days.

For the third straight game, the Jackals struck first when catcher Chris Anderson clubbed his second home run of the season leading off the third inning to give New Jersey a 1-0 lead. That score held until the top of the sixth inning, when right fielder Myron Leslie led off with a single and scored two batters later when left fielder Jeremy Slayden ripped an RBI single to right to make it 2-0 New Jersey. The Jackals tacked on an insurance run in the top of the eighth when Leslie led off with a single, stole his second base of the day, advanced to third on a Slayden bunt single, and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of third baseman Nick Giarraputo to give New Jersey a 3-0 advantage. A Leonard Davis sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth made it 4-0.

Rox' starter Mike Smith, who lost just three games last fell to 3-3 after surrendering three runs on seven hits in seven innings.

Offensively for New Jersey, Kris Sanchez went 2-for-4 with a double while Leslie singled twice, stole a pair of bases, and drew his league-leading 28th walk of the season.

The Jackals enjoy their first scheduled day off since June 2 on Monday before returning to the field on Tuesday to begin a critical four-game series with the first place Quebec Capitales at Yogi Berra Stadium. First pitch of the series opener is slated for 7:05 p.m. with New Jersey sending southpaw James Leverton (3-2, 3.16 ERA) to the mound. Cody Chrusciel and Matt Sutor have the call on the live Jackals webcast beginning 15 minutes prior to first pitch at www.jackals.com.

Jackal Bites: The Jackals have won 11 of their last 13 contests... A.J. Wideman led the Can-Am League with 10 wins in 2009 while Mike Smith led the league with 12 wins in 2010... New Jersey is now 13-1 when scoring first this season... The Jackals' leadoff batter reached safely in seven of nine innings... Nick Giarraputo returned to the lineup after missing two games with a hamstring injury... Over the past two seasons, the Jackals are 13-7 against Brockton... The Jackals held Brockton to just four runs over the three-game set... With 17 games remaining in the first half, the Jackals remain four games behind the Capitales, who have won five straight contests... New Jersey will play eight of their final 17 games of the half against Quebec.

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. 2011 single-game tickets, 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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Canadian American League Stories from June 26, 2011


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