JACKALS CLAIM CAN-AM LEAGUE FIRST-HALF CHAMPIONSHIP
by Katie Corrado

Little Falls, NJ – The New Jersey Jackals have secured their place in the Can-Am League playoffs by clinching the first-half championship during the Thursday, July 16th win against the Worcester Tornadoes. The team was able to take the title despite a recent 12-game win streak by the second-place Brockton Rox.

Jackals manager Joe Calfapietra attributes New Jersey’s success in part to better defense and better pitching. “We [also] have outstanding team chemistry,” commented Calfapietra. “The guys treat every game like it’s the last game of the playoffs.”

The Jackals have a long streak of their own to thank for propelling them atop the Can-Am League. An impressive 14-game win streak in June played a key role in securing the playoff spot. The 14-game streak shattered the previous Can-Am League record of 11 wins set by the North Shore Spirit back in 2006. It also eclipsed the previous franchise record of 13 consecutive wins set back in 2002 -- when the Jackals were members of the Northern League -- by the Jackals team that went on to win the Northern League Championship.

“This year’s squad is very resilient,” explained Calfapietra, “and everyone has been a hero on a different occasion.”

The first half of the Jackals season garnered league awards for several players. The league announced Jackals infielder Myron Leslie and left-handed pitcher A.J. Wideman as Can-Am League Batter and Pitcher of the Month for June. Leslie currently ranks among the league leaders in batting average, on-base and slugging percentages, and runs batted in. Wideman went 3-0 in June with a 1.85 ERA and took a perfect game into the eighth inning against Quebec on June 23. He currently leads the Can-Am with a 2.17 ERA.

Jackals pitchers Rusty Tucker, Isaac Pavlik, and Ted Serro were each named Can-Am Pitcher of the Week for three consecutive weeks in June. Pavlik is currently the league-leader for strikeouts with 44, while both he and Serro lead the league in wins with five apiece.

The Jackals will begin the second half of their season on the road against the American Defenders of New Hampshire on Sunday, July 19.

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.