ZUERCHER, WORCESTER SHUT DOWN JACKALS TO SWEEP PLAYOFF SERIES

Little Falls, NJ – Despite a seemingly never ending series of exciting plays, the New Jersey Jackals 2009 season came to a quiet ending when center fielder Timo Perez grounded out to third base, giving the Worcester Tornadoes a first round playoff series win at Yogi Berra Stadium on Saturday night. Behind seven and one-third solid innings of work from Worcester starter Zach Zuercher, the Tornadoes defeated the Jackals 6-2 in the final game of the year for New Jersey.

For the third consecutive game, Worcester jumped on top of a Jackals starter early, scoring three runs on right-hander Ted Serro in the top of the first inning. The Bronx native surrendered hits to the first three batters, including an RBI-single to third baseman Chris Colabello to make it a 1-0 contest. Later in the frame, designated hitter Alex Trezza laced a two-run single to make it a three run lead for the Tornadoes.

New Jersey would answer though, cutting the deficit to just a run courtesy of a pair of RBIs from right fielder Myron Leslie. The switch hitter smacked an RBI-single in the first inning that scored second baseman Marcus Sanders and in the third reached on a fielder’s choice that scored shortstop Mike DeJesus. That would be as close as the Jackals would get.

In the sixth inning with two men on base, Trezza lay down a sacrifice bunt that was fielded by Jackal’s reliever Romas Hicks. The right-hander lost his balance on the slick infield grass and through the ball away down the first base line allowing right fielder Carlos Sosa to score. Two batters later, Tornadoes catcher Yohanny Valera grounded in a run to make it a 5-2 game. Worcester added one more run in the eight to set the final score. With New Jersey closer Rusty Tucker on the mound, left fielder Alex Trezza blasted a solo home run to center field, putting the game out of reach.

Worcester closer Anthony Sullivan set the Jackals down in order in the bottom of the ninth inning to bring the season to a conclusion. The Tornadoes will move on to their second appearance in the Can-Am League Championship Series – having won their previous appearance in 2005.
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. Playoff and regular season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 973-746-7434 or visiting www.Jackals.com.