JACKALS BLOWN AWAY BY TORNADOES

Little Falls, NJ – The New Jersey Jackals fell behind early and just could not manage to right their ship, as they suffered from an array of judgment calls from the umpires that unfortunately did not go their way, and the Worcester Tornadoes unleashed the bats as they cruised to a 7-4 victory.

The final score made the game seem closer than it actually was, as the Jackals were out-hit by the Tornadoes, 15-6. Jackals RHP Joel Bennett (5-1) gave up 5 runs on 11 hits through 4.1 innings in his first start since being named the Can-Am League Pitcher of the Month for July—clearly an uncharacteristic start for the staff ace, and hopefully just a blip on the radar screen. The ever-precise Bennett, who so skillfully works the corners in&out, was unable to hit his spots and get the calls he needed from the ump---he would finish out the 5th inning before calling it a day and taking his first loss of the season. The Tornadoes came out swinging, and took an early lead with 2 runs in the 1st, another in the 3rd, and 2 more in the 4th.

Though they were able to muster up a run in the bottom of the 1st, thanks in part to a wild pitch and an error, the Jackals trailed Worcester the entire game. Through the first 6 innings, the New Jersey offense had squeaked out just 2 hits. Tornadoes RHP Alex Pena (4-1) pitched 7 very solid innings for the win, allowing 5 hits and just 1 earned run.

Jackals LF Jason Tuttle took home a fancy new watch as he was named the Player of the Game, going 2-for-4 with a run scored. 3B Wilton Veras was 1-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. C Jason Belcher, DH Joey Gomes, and 1B “Big” Bill Peavey also each knocked in a run for the Jackals. Meanwhile, Tornadoes 1B Chris Colabello was 2-for-5 with 3 RBIs and a run scored, including a monstrous solo homerun that left the ballpark in the top half of the 9th inning. 3B Austin Wasserman went 3-for-4, with both a pair of runs scored and a pair of RBIs.

On one of the most oddball plays anyone will ever see, ex-Jackal and current Tornadoes SS Ricardo Cordova struck out facing LHP Jared Brown in the top of the 9th inning. However, the ball was dropped by Belcher, and with Cordova charging toward 1B, Belcher air-mailed the throw well over the head of Peavey. Still, 2B “Mighty” Joe Mihalics gave a hard chase after the ball, which soared into RF foul territory, and fired a bullet to SS Guillermo Reyes, covering the bag at 2nd. Cordova would have been safe, despite the incredible effort from Mihalics, but he clearly was not expecting the ball to be arriving at 2nd in such a close play, as he went in standing up, and rounded the bag. Caught completely off-guard, Reyes applied the tag to nab Cordova. If you’re trying to keep score at home, that’s a K 2-5-6, with an error charged to Belcher on the throw.

These teams will continue to battle it out at Yogi Berra Stadium tomorrow night, with a fireworks extravaganza scheduled after the conclusion of the game. Tickets are still available by calling the Jackals’ box office at (973) 655-8025.