JACKALS OFFENSE ERUPTS AS SERRO SHUTS DOWN DEFENDERS IN 12-0 WIN

Little Falls, NJ – New Jersey Jackals starter Ted Serro hurled seven shutout innings and the Jackals offense plated seven runs in the bottom of the second inning en route to a 12-0 win over the American Defenders of New Hampshire in front of 3,974 fans on Saturday night at Yogi Berra Stadium.

Serro (5-2) became the first Can-Am League pitcher to win five games as he allowed three hits and struck out five batters without allowing a walk.

With the win, the Jackals cut their magic number to clinch the Can-Am League first half title to two. New Jersey can clinch with a win tomorrow afternoon and a Brockton Rox loss against the Quebec Capitales.

The Jackals, who scored just one run in last night’s ten-inning loss in the first game of the series, erupted against New Hampshire starter Isaac Burkett in the bottom of the second. After Burkett loaded the bases with no outs, an RBI single by second baseman Marcus Sanders and a two-run base knock by left fielder Ryan Rogowski gave New Jersey a 3-0 advantage. A walk to shortstop Mike DeJesus chased Burkett from the game with no outs. After reliever Cooper Brannon induced a fly out, a sacrifice fly off the bat of first baseman Juan Tejeda to deep center field plated both Sanders from third and Rogowski from second to extend the Jackals’ lead to 5-0. Two batters later, third baseman Mike Scanzano ripped a two-run double to left to give New Jersey a 7-0 lead.

Burkett (3-4) took the loss after surrendering seven runs on four hits in one inning. The 23-year-old right-hander walked four batters and hit a batter while striking out a pair.

In the bottom of the fourth, The Jackals struck for two more runs against Brannon to take a 9-0 lead. After a leadoff single by DeJesus, right fielder Myron Leslie singled to right as DeJesus moved to third, but third baseman Jovanny Bromasco’s return throw to second base sailed into right field, enabling DeJesus to score New Jersey’s eighth run of the game. Later in the inning, designated hitter Justin Humphries lifted a sacrifice fly to score Leslie.

The Jackals capped the scoring with three runs in the bottom of the seventh when a two-run triple by center fielder Billy Kovatch made it 11-0 before Sanders followed with an RBI single.

With the Jackals leading by 12 in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Defenders brought in starting catcher Argenis Tavarez to pitch and Tavarez escaped without allowing a run.

In the win, New Jersey reliever Mike Lorentson tossed two perfect innings. Offensively for the Jackals, DeJesus went 3-for-4 as each New Jersey starter either scored or drove in a run.

The Jackals and Defenders continue their four-game series on Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. when New Jersey sends left-hander Isaac Pavlik (4-1, 3.38 ERA) to the mound against New Hampshire right-hander Luis Valdez (0-3, 5.32 ERA). Cody Chrusciel and Joey Whelan have the call with the live webcast beginning 15 minutes prior to first pitch at www.jackals.com.

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.