ROGOWSKI SWINGS HOT BAT AS JACKALS SPLIT DOUBLEHEADER WITH WORCESTER

Worcester, MA – After having their seven-game Massachusetts road trip delayed by a day due to rain, the New Jersey Jackals split a Saturday night doubleheader with the Worcester Tornadoes at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field.

Game one proved to be a pitcher’s duel early as Jackals starter A.J. Wideman and Worcester starter Jusef Frias battled back and forth, taking a scoreless game into the sixth inning before the Tornadoes pulled away for a 5-2 win. Wideman, who retired the first ten batters he faced, recording three strikeouts in his first two innings of work, setting the stage for the Jackals to take an early lead. New Jersey would put a run on the board in the top of the sixth when first baseman Myron Leslie grounded to first base, scoring second baseman Marcus Sanders from third, after Sanders had led off the inning with a single.

The bottom of the sixth would prove to be the difference maker in the ballgame, as the first six batters for Worcester in the inning recorded hits off Wideman before he was lifted for right-hander Kevin Gunter. After center fielder Lucas Taylor ripped a ground rule double down the left field line, the next five hitters – shortstop Omar Pena, right fielder Carlos Sosa, third baseman Chris Colabello, first baseman Nick Salotti and designated hitter Alex Trezza – all laced singles. All but Trezza would come around and score, with Sosa driving in a run with his single, and Colebello scoring two with his. Gunter would strike out catcher Mike Leonard for the first out of the inning before surrendering an RBI-single to second baseman Jeff LaHair with the bases loaded. Moments later left fielder Heath Keel walked with the bases loaded to force in a run before Gunter struck out the next two batters.

The Jackals would make it interesting with their last opportunity in the top of the seventh. After catcher Matt Lauderdale flew out to left field to start the inning, right fielder Quentin Davis lined a single to right. Third baseman Mike Scanzano struck out swinging before Frias walked center fielder Zack Smithlin and allowed a single to Sanders, loading the bases. Frias was lifted for closer Santiago Ramirez, who after walking left fielder Ryan Rogowski to force in a run, struck out designated hitter Quinn Steward to end the game.

Frias (3-2) earned the win in his best start of the season, while Wideman (7-1) finally dropped his first contest of the season. Ramirez earned his eighth save of the season in the win.

In game two the Jackals turned to left-hander Giuseppe Granitto on the mound. The rookie lasted three innings, allowing just one run, a solo home run by Trezza to lead off the second inning, his eighth of the season.
On the mound for Worcester was another youngster, recently acquired right-hander Ryan Quinn, a rookie out of Southern New Hampshire University. After working out of a bases loaded, one-out jam in the first inning, Quinn cruised until the third inning when the Jackals pushed their first run across. After Sanders popped out to second, Rogowski lined a single and promptly stole second base. A few batters later with two outs, shortstop Mike DeJesus lined a run scoring single to tie the game up at 1-1.

After right-hander Romas Hicks came on in relief for the Jackals in the fourth inning, New Jersey put another run up in the fifth to put the rookie in line for the win. Clinging to a 2-1 lead going into the top of the seventh, New Jersey would score two runs off left-handed reliever Chris Anderson. After Rogowski grounded out to first to lead off the inning, Steward and Leslie drew back-to-back walks. DeJesus and Davis would then follow with subsequent RBI-singles giving the Jackals a 4-1 lead.
Rusty Tucker would come on in the bottom half of the inning and fire a perfect inning of relief work, striking out the final two batters of the game for his Can-Am League best 17th save. Hicks (4-1) who fired two shutout frames earned the win with Quinn (0-1) taking the loss in his second professional start.

Rogowski was the big bat at the plate for New Jersey, turning a 4-for-7 doubleheader with two runs, two stolen bases and an RBI. DeJesus also had a very productive day, driving in three runs in game two.

New Jersey will be back in action tomorrow as the Jackals finish up their three-game series with Worcester. The Jackals will send right-hander Ted Serro to the mound while the Tornadoes will turn to their left-hander Zach Zuercher. Joey Whelan will have the live call of the game at www.jackals.com. First pitch is set for 2:05 p.m. with the pre game show starting 10 minutes prior.

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.