WIDEMAN AND GAGNE DOMINATE AS JACKALS SPLIT DOUBLEHEADER

Little Falls, NJ – On a day that was dominated by solid starting pitching, the New Jersey Jackals split a Sunday afternoon doubleheader with the Quebec Capitals at Yogi Berra Stadium.

In game one, Quebec starter Eric Gagne came within three outs of throwing a seven-inning no-hitter before allowing a leadoff single to Jackals designated hitter Quinn Stewart in the seventh inning. Moments later right fielder Myron Leslie ripped a single of his own, before first baseman Juan Tejeda grounded into a game-ending triple play. Tejeda smoked a grounder to third base that was snared by Pat Deschenes who quickly stepped on third before firing to second. Josh Colafemina completed a lightning quick turn at the bag and fired a strike to Eddie Lantigua to first to complete the play and seal a 10-0 victory for the Capitales. The Quebec dugout emptied onto the field in celebration of the rare fielding gem and the complete game shutout for Gagne (3-2).

The Capitales struck early against Jackals starter Giuseppe Granitto (0-3), scoring a run in each of the first two innings. Things unraveled in the fourth inning when Quebec exploded for six runs, putting the game completely out of reach for New Jersey. After striking out designated hitter Douglas Toro, centerfielder Goefrey Tomlinson reached on a fielding error by second baseman Marcus Sanders, his sixth of the season. Tomlinson advanced to second on a ball that got away from New Jersey catcher Chris Chiarappa, then took third on a fly ball to right by second baseman Josh Colafemina. On a 3-2 passed ball to catcher Pete LaForest, Tomlinson came around to score making it a 3-0 lead for the Capitales.

After a Deschenes single put runners at the corners, Granitto was lifted
for Kevin Gunter who promptly allowed back-to-back RBI singles to Lantigua and left fielder Alex Nunez. Right fielder Sebastien Boucher drew a walk to load the bases before shortstop Ivan Naccarata laced a double down the first base line that emptied the bases. The Capitales added two more runs in the seventh off right-hander Seth Overbey. Colafemina deposited a leadoff single before catcher Pete LaForest blasted his 13th home run of the season to dead center.

The Jackals bounced back in game two behind yet another impressive showing from starter A.J. Wideman who pitched six scoreless frames and scattered five hits. Wideman (7-0) earned his fourth win of the month, striking out three and walking one before giving way to closer Rusty Tucker who shut the door on a 3-0 win, picking up his 14th save of the season.

New Jersey, who stranded ten runners in the game, got all of the offense they needed in the third inning. With one away, left fielder Ryan Rogowski drew a walk, before Stewart, Leslie and shortstop Mike DeJesus all lined singles off Quebec starter Dan Sausville. The singles by Leslie and DeJesus each brought a run across the plate and a subsequent sac fly by right fielder Quentin Davis scored a run as well, as the Jackals chased Sausville (4-3) out of the game after just three innings. Capitales relievers Sean Gregory, Dan McDaid and Jason Schutt combined to hold the Jackals scoreless in the final three innings of the contest.

For New Jersey, Stewart, Leslie and DeJesus all had a pair of hits in the doubleheader and Stewart extended his on-base streak to 30 games. For the Capitales, Lantigua went 4-for-8 with a run scored and an RBI.

The Jackals will be back in action on Tuesday night as they open a three game home series with the Brockton Rox. New Jersey will send Ted Serro to the mound with Wayne Lundgren taking the ball for the Rox. First pitch is schedule for 7:05 p.m. with live broadcast coverage being provided by Cody Cruschiel and Joey Whelan 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.