JACKALS CLAW THEIR WAY BACK IN 10-8 EXTRA-INNING WIN

Nashua, NH – In a back-and-forth contest, the New Jersey Jackals overcame deficits of 4-0 and 7-5 en route to a 10-8 ten-inning win over the American Defenders of New Hampshire in the first game of the second half on Sunday evening at Historic Holman Stadium.

Jackals’ right-hander Stuart Pomeranz, who had allowed 17 first-inning runs in nine starts this season entering the contest, surrendered four runs in the first inning as the Jackals fell behind 4-0.

After New Jersey scored a run in the third and another in the fifth on a pair of RBI groundouts, the Defenders took a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth when former Jackal Chris Kelly launched his 12th home run of the season. However, New Jersey plated a single run in each of the next three frames to even the score at 5-5.

In the bottom of the eighth, Defenders’ left fielder Jerod Edmondson cracked his 10th home run of the season to give New Hampshire a 7-5 advantage. The Defenders then turned the ball over to closer Juan Padilla in the top of the ninth, but New Jersey fought back again by scoring three runs on with the help of two walks and a pair of errors to take an 8-7 lead.

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth and Rusty Tucker on the mound for the Jackals, New Hampshire shortstop Matt Nandin hit a weak chopper to short which New Jersey shortstop Mike DeJesus threw wide of the bag at first, enabling Angel Molina to come plateward to tie the score at 8-8.

In the top of the tenth, an RBI single by Jackals’ first baseman Myron Leslie and a sacrifice fly off the bat of catcher Matt Lauderdale gave New Jersey the lead for good at 10-8. Tucker (2-0) remained on the mound in the bottom of the inning and held the Defenders scoreless to pick up the victory. Rookie Patrick Driscoll (0-1), who faced the first three batters in the tenth inning and surrendered a pair of walks, took the loss for New Hampshire.

Offensively for New Jersey, Lauderdale and center fielder Billy Kovatch each collected three hits while designated hitter Quinn Stewart lined his fourth home run of the season.

The Jackals and Defenders continue their four-game series on Monday night at 6:35 p.m. when New Jersey sends rookie left-hander Giuseppe Granitto (0-2, 5.45 ERA) to the mound for his sixth start of the season against New Hampshire right-hander Miguel Flores (3-1, 3.99 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. The Jackals have clinched the 2009 Can-Am League first-half title and an automatic berth in the playoffs, which begin on September 9. Playoff and regular season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 973-746-7434. Visit the Jackals online at www.jackals.com.