SUSSEX LONG BALLS CAN’T SINK JACKALS IN EXTRA-INNING WIN

Little Falls, NJ – Sussex third baseman Jeremy Hunt hit three of the Skyhawks five home runs, but the New Jersey Jackals clawed back to walk off with an 8-7 win in the bottom of the tenth inning on Thursday night at Yogi Berra Stadium.

With one out in the tenth, Jackals second baseman Marcus Sanders and left fielder Ryan Rogowski laced back-to-back singles to put runners on first and second for shortstop Mike DeJesus, who singled to right to score Sanders with the game-winning run.

With the win, the Jackals maintain their five-game lead over the second-place Quebec Capitales, who also won on Thursday night, with eight games remaining in the first half. The Jackals magic number to clinch the Can-Am League first-half title and an automatic playoff berth is now four.

The Jackals trailed 7-4 heading into the bottom of the eighth, but catcher Matt Lauderdale lifted a two-run home run to left following a Juan Tejeda double to cut the Jackals’ deficit to one. Later in the inning, a Quentin Davis double chased Sussex starter Kyle Ruwe from the game before Sanders singled home the tying run against reliever Matt Petrusek. The Jackals then loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth, but Petrusek escaped without allowing a run.

The Skyhawks jumped out to an early 5-0 lead against New Jersey starter Giuseppe Granitto, who did not factor in the decision. Hunt smacked a leadoff homer down the left field line in the top of the second to open the scoring. Two batters later, Sussex catcher Ray Serrano lifted a solo home run to left-center to give the Skyhawks an early 2-0 advantage. In the top of the third, Hunt struck again. After right fielder Maikel Jova singled with two down, Hunt send his second home run of the contest out to left field to extend the Sussex lead to 4-0. The next batter, first baseman John Urick, connected on his fifth home run of the season to right field.

The Jackals finally broke through against Ruwe in the bottom of the fifth inning. After Tejeda deposited a two-out single down the right field line, Lauderdale reached on a throwing error by Hunt to put runners on second and third. Center fielder Billy Kovatch then dribbled a ball towards first base, but beat Ruwe to the bag after Ruwe had fielded the baseball as Tejeda and Lauderdale both came plateward to cut the Jackals’ deficit to 5-2.

After Hunt lifted his third home run of the game in the top of the fifth, New Jersey plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning to make it a 6-4 contest. Jackals’ designated hitter Quentin Davis and second baseman Marcus Sanders hit back-to-back singles to begin the frame before scoring on RBI singles off the bats of DeJesus and Tejeda. Ruwe limited the damage though, striking out Lauderdale and Kovatch with the bases loaded to end the threat.

Hunt’s trio of long balls marked just the third time in Can-Am League history that a player had hit three home runs in a game, with Worcester Tornadoes infielder Chris Colabello accomplishing the feat in both 2007 and 2008. Hunt now has seven home runs this season.

In the eighth inning, Sussex catcher Ray Serrano lined a double off the third base bag and advanced to third on a groundout before scoring on a wild pitch by New Jersey reliever Kevin Gunter to help the Skyhawks add an insurance run at 7-3.

Granitto, a rookie left-hander who had turned in two quality starts in a row, allowed six runs on eight hits in five innings with three walks and two strikeouts. Ruwe surrendered seven runs – six earned – on 10 hits in 7 2/3 frames. Petrusek (0-5) took the loss while Jackals’ reliever Rusty Tucker (1-0) hurled two perfect innings to earn his first win of the season.

The Jackals continue their seven-game homestand on Friday night when they welcome the American Defenders of New Hampshire to Yogi Berra Stadium for a four-game series. First pitch in the series opener is slated for 7:05 p.m. as New Jersey sends left-hander A.J. Wideman to the mound for his eighth start of the season against New Hampshire right-hander Miguel Flores. Cody Chrusciel and Joey Whelan have 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.