JACKALS TAKE SERIES FROM QUEBEC WITH EXTRA INNINGS WIN

Quebec City, QUE – The New Jersey Jackals had to sweat things out for an extra inning on Sunday afternoon but came away all smiles, defeating the Quebec Capitales 3-2 at Stad Municipal to take two-of-three contests in this road series.

Having taken a 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, the game looked like a done deal with Jackals closer Rusty Tucker taking the mound, having struck out the side the night before to clinch a win. Quebec refused to go quietly in front of their home crowd though and tied the game when designated hitter Eddie Lantigua lined an RBI-single that scored shortstop Ivan Naccarata from second. It was the third blown save of the season for Tucker (3-2) in his last four tries, but the veteran left-hander was able to breathe a sigh of relief as his offense backed him up in the top of the tenth inning.

After second baseman Marcus Sanders was issued a walk to start the inning by reliever Brett Palanksi (1-2), he advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by pinch hitter Quentin Davis who came on for an injured left fielder Ryan Rogowski. Moments later, right fielder Timo Perez laced a single to right that scored Sanders and set the final score at 3-2 for the Jackals. Right-hander Romas Hicks would strike out the side in the bottom of the tenth inning to earn his first save of the season.

Despite the late offensive heroics on both sides, the afternoon was all about pitching, as New Jersey starter Ted Serro and Quebec right-hander Michel Simard battled back and forth trying to outdo the other. Serro was brilliant for his second consecutive start against the Capitales, allowing just one run on five hits in seven innings on the mound. The Brooklyn native struck out five batters and walked just one; the lone run came on a solo home run from third baseman Pat Deschenes, his third of the season. That now makes just two runs allowed by Serro over his last 15 innings of work. Simard was equally as good, last seven and one-third innings, and like Serro, allowed one run on five hits, striking out four batters and walking one.

The Jackals got multi-hit games from Sanders, Rogowski, Perez and shortstop Mike DeJesus who all had two hits each. Rogowski ripped a triple in the eighth inning that scored Sanders to momentarily tie the game, before the New Jersey took the lead on a sac fly from Perez that scored Rogowski.


New Jersey will be back in action on Tuesday night at home for PETS AT THE PARK NIGHT as they open a three-game series with the Worcester Tornadoes at Yogi Berra Stadium; starters have not been named for either team yet. Joey Whelan will have the live call of the game from Quebec 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. 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.