TORNADOES WALK OFF WITH 1-0 EXTRA-INNING WIN IN PITCHERS DUEL

Worcester, MA – In a scoreless game in the bottom of the tenth inning, a one-out RBI single by Worcester Tornadoes second baseman Jeff LaHair scored designated hitter Mike Leonard from second as the Tornadoes walked off with a 1-0 win over the New Jersey Jackals on Friday night at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field.

With one out in the ninth and reliever Seth Overbey on the mound for New Jersey, Leonard singled through the right side before advancing to second on a walk by left fielder Mike MacMillan. The next batter, LaHair, ripped a single just inside third base down the line into the Tornadoes’ bullpen as Leonard came plateward with the game-winning run.

After the game’s first pitch was delayed 2 hours, 9 minutes because of rain in the Worcester area, Jackals’ starter Giuseppe Granitto and Tornadoes’ starter Chris Farley each proceeded to hurl seven shutout innings.

However, neither starter factored in the decision. In his third career start, Granitto allowed three hits with one walk and five strikeouts while Farley surrendered three hits, walked three batters, and struck out seven.

Overbey (2-2) took the loss while Tornadoes’ reliever Santiago Ramirez (3-1) tossed a scoreless tenth inning to earn the win. For the Jackals, right-hander Romas Hicks contributed two scoreless frames out of the bullpen.

The Jackals and Tornadoes continue their three-game weekend series on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. when New Jersey sends left-hander A.J. Wideman (3-0, 2.84 ERA) to the mound against Worcester left-hander Ryan Lobban (4-1, 2.97 ERA). Cody Chrusciel has the call with the live webcast beginning 10 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.