JACKALS PULL COME FROM BEHIND WIN AS TUCKER ESTABLISHES NEW SAVES RECORD

Augusta, NJ – There are a never ending supply of sayings and phrases to describe when a sporting event is over. In basketball the horn sounds. In football the clock shows zero. In NASCAR they have the checker flag. In baseball the saying has always been “It ain’t over till the fat lady sings.” Heading into the top of the ninth inning on Friday night at Skylands Park her lips were sealed as the New Jersey Jackals, trailing 2-0, scored three runs off Sussex Skyhawks closer Sandy Nin to pull off an improbable 3-2 victory. Making things even sweeter for New Jersey, closer Rusty Tucker fired a scoreless bottom of the ninth to earn his 22nd save of the season, breaking his own club record set last year.

The Jackals were in the game all night thanks to another brilliant performance from Ted Serro who allowed just two runs on nine hits over seven innings while striking out five batters and walking just one. Over his last three starts, the right-hander has allowed just three earned runs in 22 innings, striking out 14 batters and walking only two. Sussex was able to break through against Serro in the third with an RBI double from center fielder Ron Perodin; he struck again in the seventh, this time bringing in the run on a single.

Offensively, New Jersey found their bats stifled by right-hander Tim Stringer, who was making just his third start of the season. The youngster shut the Jackals out over his six frames of work, allowing just five hits while striking out four batters and walking four. Right-hander Greg Lane fired two scoreless innings of relief before Nin (1-7) entered the game in the ninth setting up the dramatic finish.

Third baseman Mike Scanzano led the inning off with a single before designated hitter Chris Chiarappa struck out for the first out. Second baseman Marcus Sanders then battled with two strikes again, fouling off several pitches before ripping a ground rule double down the line in left, putting runners at second and third. Shortstop Mike DeJesus lifted a fly ball to center that allowed Scanzano to tag and score the first Jackals run. It was then that things took a turn in New Jersey’s favor. Center fielder Timo Perez hit a routine groundball that was misplayed by Sussex shortstop Mark Pappas, allowing Sanders to score and tie the game. After Perez stole second, first baseman Myron Leslie crushed an RBI-double to left field that scored the go-ahead run.

In the bottom half of the inning, Tucker walked a batter before striking out the final two outs of the game. Kevin Gunter (7-1), who pitched a perfect eighth inning, earned the win for New Jersey in relief.

New Jersey and Sussex will be back in action tomorrow with an early evening game; first pitch is set for 5:05 p.m. Left-hander Isaac Pavlik will take the mound for the Jackals while the Skyhawks will turn to Mike Schellinger to handle the pitching duties. Joey Whelan will have the live call of the game at www.Jackals.com 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.