JACKALS RALLY FROM 8-0 DEFICIT TO WIN WILD ONE AGAINST GAGNE, CAPITALES

Quebec City, QC – With former National League Cy Young Award winner Eric Gagne on the hill and 5,043 fans packed into Stade Municipal on Quebec’s national holiday, the New Jersey Jackals used a season-high 19 hits to overcome an 8-0 deficit after four innings en route to an 11-10 victory. The win, New Jersey’s 13th in a row, ties the Jackals team record for longest winning streak, set in 2002.

Jackals starter Ted Serro struggled with his command early, walking three batters in the first inning - including two with the bases loaded - as the Capitales plated three runs in the first frame. After a two-out error, the Capitales again loaded the bases in the bottom of the second, but Serro worked out of the jam unscathed.

In the fourth inning, the Capitales chased Serro from the game when they plated five runs to extend their lead to 8-0. Serro didn’t factor in the decision after allowing eight runs – five earned – on seven hits with six walks and two strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings.

The Jackals got on the board in the top of the fifth inning when center fielder Quentin Davis ripped a two-out triple into the right field corner before scoring on an RBI double by second baseman Marcus Sanders. In the sixth, New Jersey chased Gagne from the game with six more runs to cut the deficit to one at 8-7. The Jackals scored the tying run in the seventh inning on an RBI double by Billy Kovatch to deadlock the score at 8-8.

In the top of the eighth, the Jackals took the lead for good when shortstop Mike DeJesus laced a two-out RBI single and first baseman Myron Leslie crushed his sixth home run of the season to right field to put the Jackals on top 11-8.

With Rusty Tucker on the mound in the ninth inning, center fielder Tony Lewis led off with a single and advanced to third on an error by Tucker. Lewis later scored on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Pete LaForest to make it an 11-9 game. Later in the inning, with a runner on first, Tucker hit Capitales designated hitter Eddie Lantigua with a pitch. Lantigua immediately charged the mound and the benches cleared, resulting in several ejections, including Lantigua, Tucker, and Jackals manager Joe Calfapietra.

With two outs, runners on first and second, and Seth Overbey on the hill for New Jersey, Quebec third baseman Pat Deschenes singled to center to score a run and make it 11-10, but the game ended on the same play when Davis, the Jackals center fielder, fired a one-hopper to third to nail pinch runner Patrick D’Aoust to end the game after 3 hours and 58 minutes.

Jackals reliever Kevin Gunter (1-0) picked up the win after tossing a scoreless eighth inning. The loss went to Quebec righty Dan Sausville (0-1). Gagne earned his third straight no-decision after allowing seven runs on 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings with one walk and two strikeouts. Overbey earned his first save of the season.

The Jackals return home on Thursday night to begin a five-game set against the Worcester Tornadoes. Thursday’s doubleheader, which will begin at 5:05 p.m. at Yogi Berra Stadium, includes the makeup of the June 18 game that was postponed by rain. New Jersey sends left-hander Isaac Pavlik (3-1, 2.84 ERA) to the hill in game one while rookie southpaw Giuseppe Granitto (0-0, 6.35 ERA) gets the start in the nightcap. Cody Chrusciel and Joey Whelan have the call with the live webcast beginning 15 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.