POMERANZ AND PAVLIK BLANK DEFENDERS IN DOUBLEHEADER SWEEP

Little Falls, NJ – The New Jersey Jackals extended their winning streak to 10 games by taking both games of a doubleheader from the American Defenders of New Hampshire at Yogi Berra Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Pitching was the story once again as the Jackals won the two contests by scores of 2-0 and 3-0, improving their record to 14-8 and bringing them within one win of tying the Can-Am League record for consecutive wins.

In game one, Jackals starter Stuart Pomeranz (3-1) was dominant in picking up the win. The 6-foot-7 right-hander fired six scoreless frames, allowing just three hits while striking out six and walking one. At one point Pomeranz retired twelve consecutive New Hampshire batters on his way to the win.

New Jersey got on the board early against Defenders starter Luis Valdez (0-1), who was making his first appearance of the season. After issuing walks to Marcus Sanders and Mike DeJesus to start the bottom of the first, right fielder Quinn Stewart lined a single to score Sanders from second base. The Jackals got their only other run of the game in the fifth inning.

Left fielder Ryan Rogowski led off with a single, promptly stole second and then advanced to third on an errant throw by New Hampshire catcher Zane Chavez. After Sanders struck out, DeJesus laced a single to right that scored Rogowski.

The two runs would be all New Jersey needed as closer Rusty Tucker came on in the seventh inning to shut the door on New Hampshire in game one and pick up his Can-Am League-leading eighth save of the season. Tucker has now gone 11 2/3 innings without allowing a run this season.

Game two proved to be another pitchers' duel, this time between New Jersey’s Isaac Pavlik and New Hampshire’s Issac Burkett. Pavlik (3-1) pitched a complete game shutout -- the second of his career -- allowing just two base runners while striking out six batters and walking none. At one point in the contest, Pavlik retired 16 consecutive Defenders’ hitters, one less than right-hander Ted Serro did on Friday night.

For the second straight game, the Jackals’ offense did just enough to ensure a victory. In the bottom of the third, Ryan Rogowski blooped a hit to shallow left field that was stretched into a double thanks to heads-up base running by the New Jersey leftfielder. After he advanced to third on a wild pitch, Rogowski scored on an infield single by Marcus Sanders to make it 1-0.

In the bottom of the fourth, Jackals first baseman Myron Leslie led off with a double and scored moments later when designated hitter Juan Tejeda ripped a single to center field. Tejeda advanced to second on a late throw to the plate and then moved to third moments later when New Hampshire second baseman Boomer Berry bobbled a ground ball off the bat of center fielder Billy Kovatch. The next batter, third baseman Mike Scanzano, lifted a fly ball to left field that allowed Tejeda to tag up and score from third.

Burkett (2-2) allowed all three runs in taking the loss, with Luis Ramos and Juan Padilla each firing a scoreless inning of relief work for New Hampshire.

The second game was the fastest in Can-Am League history, being completed in just one hour and thirty-two minutes. With 14 scoreless innings in the doubleheader, the Jackals pitching staff has now combined to allow just three runs over their last 41 innings of work. With one more win, New Jersey will tie the Can-Am League record for consecutive wins at 11, a mark currently held by the 2006 North Shore Spirit.

Up next, New Jersey will hit the road for a three-game series with Les Capitals de Quebec. The Jackals will send left-hander Dave Qualben to the mound for the 7:05 p.m. start on Monday night at Stade Municipal. Cody Chrusciel will be on the call for the live broadcast with the pregame show starting at 6:50 p.m. on 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.