SPECTACULAR DEFENSE BY VALENCIA ROBS JACKALS IN LOSS

Brockton, MA – A spectacular catch at a crucial juncture in a baseball game can shift momentum rather abruptly; back-to-back plays of this nature are demoralizing. That was the case on Tuesday night at Campanelli Stadium as Brockton Rox center fielder Chris Valencia made a pair of spectacular diving grabs in the top of the ninth inning, robbing New Jersey center fielder Zack Smithlin and second baseman Marcus Sanders of base hits. Brockton closer Jerry Dunn would punch out Jackals designated hitter Quinn Stewart moments later to hand New Jersey a 3-2 loss. The game, which took a blistering two hours and twenty-four minutes, evened up the four game series at one win each and ended a four game winning streak for the Jackals at Campanelli.

For the second straight night, both starters started in cruise control with Jackals starter Isaac Pavlik allowing just one hit through the first four innings. Brockton left-hander Fraser Robinson was equally as effective, allowing just two hits in his first three frames on the mound.

The Jackals struck first, breaking a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning, putting two runs on the board courtesy of a two-run home run by rookie catcher Chris Chiarappa. After designated hitter Matt Lauderdale laced his second single of the ballgame (he would finish with three), third baseman Mike Scanzano flied out to left field, setting up a one on, two-out situation for Chiarappa. The Caldwell College graduate blasted his first professional home run over the left field wall into the Brockton bullpen giving New Jersey a 2-0 lead.

As was the case last night, Brockton was quick to answer offensively, scoring three times in the top of the fifth. A pair of two-out singles by third baseman Phil Cuadrado and catcher Chris Grossman put runners at the corners for shortstop Dominic Ramos who promptly deposited a run scoring single. The next batter was Valencia who lifted a high fly ball over the head of Smithlin that rolled all the way to wall in left center. When all was said and done, two more runs had scored and Valencia was standing at third with a two-RBI triple.

Neither team would push a run across in the final three innings. Pavlik (5-4) would take the loss, going the full eight innings for New Jersey, allowing three earned runs on six hits, striking out three batters and walking a pair. The left-hander pushed his Can-Am League-leading strikeout total to 58. Robinson (6-3) earned the win after seven strong innings, before giving way to right-hander Keith Noe in the eighth and Dunn in the ninth, both who pitched perfect frames.

The Jackals and Rox will be back in action tomorrow night with New Jersey sending new acquisition Sean Thompson to the mound. The left-hander will be making his first start in uniform for the Jackals and will face Brockton left-hander Chris Anderson. Joey Whelan will have the live call of the game at www.jackals.com. First pitch is set for 7:05 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.