DOUBLEHEADER SPLIT AGAINST WORCESTER HALTS JACKALS WINNING STREAK AT 14

Little Falls, NJ – After the New Jersey Jackals defeated the Worcester Tornadoes 9-7 in game one of a doubleheader to run their winning streak to a team-record 14 games, the Tornadoes defeated the Jackals 3-1 in the nightcap to earn the split in a battle of the Can-Am League’s top two teams. The game two loss was New Jersey’s first since June 9.

After two scoreless innings in game one, the Tornadoes jumped on Jackals starter Isaac Pavlik to take a 6-1 lead heading into the home half of the fourth. New Jersey began to battle back that at-bat, as an RBI single by Mike Scanzano made it a 6-2 game.

In the fifth, with Worcester reliever Nick Conway on the mound, an RBI single by Mike DeJesus was followed by a two-run home run by Myron Leslie - his league-leading seventh of the season - as the Jackals pulled within one at 6-5.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Jackals plated four runs against Santiago Ramirez to take the lead for good. The Tornadoes answered with a run in the top of the seventh to pull within two at 9-7, but Jackals reliever Seth Overbey escaped the threat to earn his second save of the season.

For the second straight night, Jackals sidearmer Kevin Gunter (2-0) earned the win by firing a scoreless inning of relief. Ramirez (2-1) suffered the loss for the Tornadoes.

In the nightcap, Jackals left-hander Giuseppe Granitto allowed just two runs on six hits with six strikeouts and no walks in 6 1/3 innings, but the Tornadoes used a fifth-inning RBI double by center fielder Heath Keel to break a 1-1 tie en route to a 3-1 victory.

The Jackals scored their lone run in the loss on an RBI single by catcher Matt Lauderdale in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Granitto (0-1) absorbed the loss in his second start of the season, while Tornadoes right-hander Josef Frias (1-0) allowed one run on four hits in six innings to pick up the win in his first start of the year. Worcester closer Anthony Sullivan hurled a scoreless seventh inning to earn his seventh save.

The Jackals and Tornadoes continue their five-game series on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. at Yogi Berra Stadium when New Jersey sends right-hander Stuart Pomeranz (3-1, 3.38 ERA) to the mound for his fifth start of the season against Worcester southpaw and New Jersey native Ryan Lobban (3-1, 3.38 ERA). 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.