07/25/2010 4:26 PM -
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Jason Lamar
Jason@jackhammerbaseball.com
Joliet JackHammers
1 Mayor Art Schultz Drive • Joliet, IL 60432
815.774.2884
RedHawks Rally Past JackHammers 4-2 to Avoid Sweep
FARGO, ND – Jay Cox snapped a tie game with a bases loaded single in the eighth to lead the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (35-21) past the Joliet JackHammers (31-27) 4-2 Sunday afternoon at Newman Outdoor Field. Joliet took two of three in the series and became the first visiting team this season to capture a series victory in Fargo.
The RedHawks managed four late runs to avoid the sweep, including the go ahead runs in the eighth. Mike Coles singled to right and stole second base against William Jackel (4-1). Nic Jackson was intentionally walked and Jesse Hoorelbeke walked as well to load the bases with one out. Eric Campbell popped up the first pitch to second and Cox followed with a two run single to left center for the 4-2 lead.
The JackHammers wouldn’t go down without a fight, putting the tying runs in scoring position in the ninth. Josh Flores and Jonathan Wyatt each walked against Donnie Smith, who threw only nine pitches without recording an out. Alex Kent came on and retired Brad Correll on a deep fly out to left and struck out Jon Nelson. Adam Tollefson became the third pitcher of the frame with the southpaw coming in to face Freddie Thon. Flores and Wyatt executed a double steal on the first pitch to put runners at second and third, but Tollefson would recover and get Thon to ground out to second on a 3-2 pitch.
The setback spoiled a great effort by Devin Anderson, who went the first five innings without allowing a hit. The lefty lasted 6.1, surrendering the two runs on two hits with five strikeouts and three walks.
Joliet started the scoring with single tallies in the sixth and seventh for a 2-0 lead. Chris Colton launched a solo home run off the foul pole in left against the starter Tyler Seaman. Brad Correll made it 2-0 on a sacrifice fly in the seventh off Casey Hoorelbeke (8-3). Flores laid down a bunt single and moved to second on a throwing error by Hoorelbeke on the play. Wyatt moved up Flores to third with a fly ball to center and Correll finished the job with another fly out to centerfield.
Hoorelbeke picked up the victory for his eighth of the season, allowing one unearned run in two innings. Seaman went the first six, surrendering the one run on six hits with three strikeouts and four walks.
Fargo-Moorhead took Seaman off the hook with two in the seventh to tie the game. Jesse Hoorelbeke walked and Campbell singled to start the inning. Thon made a diving stop down the line at first to rob Jay Cox for the first out. Jackel would come on and allow a Carlo Cota sacrifice fly and a Kole Zimmerman two out single to knot the game at two.
The loss for Jackel was his first of the season, allowing two runs on three hits in 1.1 innings. The right-hander walked two (one intentionally) while striking out one.
Nelson and Ryan Wehrle each collected two hits in the setback with Correll and Colton picking up the two runs batted in.
The JackHammers will continue a six game road trip with three in Schaumburg with the Flyers. Bear Bay (4-4) will go up against Alain Quijano (2-5) tomorrow night at Alexian Field. First pitch is slated for 7:00 p.m. with a 6:50 p.m. pre-game show on 1340 WJOL.
Loose Gravel
• Jon Nelson went 2-4 and extended his hitting streak to 17 games
• The JackHammers dropped to 4-5 against Fargo with three games remaining with the RedHawks this season
• Fargo’s two runs in the seventh were the first earned runs allowed the JackHammers since the first inning in Friday’s contest
