Jackals Remain Around First Place Despite Up and Down Play

(Photo by Grant Kelly – Double G Media)

The New Jersey Jackals continue to jockey with the Quebec Capitales for sole possession of first place in the CanAm League. After Last Friday’s game was suspended due to rain New Jersey split the ensuing Saturday doubleheader with the Capitales. They dropped the first game by a score of 2-1 and fought back to win the second game 6-4.

Sunday the Jackals offense stumbled, and failed to post any runs on four hits and dropped the matchup 4-0. Monday, a crucial game, the Jackals offense returned to its typical explosive potential and posted 8 runs, scoring in four of their eight offensive innings to take the series finale 8-3.

Splitting the series was crucial for the Jackals and kept them tied with the Capitales in first place after a very important four game-series.

The Jackals then turned to a mid-week three game set with nearby Rockland who sits only two games back in third place.

Game one was a tale of dominant offense and struggling pitching. As the two teams combined for seventeen runs on a whopping thirty-one hits. The Jackals struck early and hard, posting a huge five runs in the top of the first inning to give themselves some breathing room. They were able to ride out the early lead and came out on top with a final score of 10-7.

Game two was back at Yogi Berra Stadium where the Rockland Boulders continued to put up impressive offensive numbers. This time it was their turn to score in the top half of the first inning, and they struck with three in the first and another three in the top of the third to build a 6-0 lead.

There was no turning back after that as the Jackals were only able to tally four hits which were good for four runs while the Boulders ended with thirteen hits. Final score in game two 11-4 in favor of Rockland.

Game three was a road game for the Jackals. Rockland posted a single run in the home half of the first frame and took the early lead. Heading to the top of the sixth the Jackals were down 3-0. However they dug in and scored six big runs in the top of the sixth to put themselves on the board and take control of the game. With a commanding 8-3 lead headed to the bottom of the ninth the Jackals appeared poised to take the series finale. However the Boulders had other plans, and posted five runs to even the game at 8-8 and send it to an extra frame. Ultimately the Boulders would strike in the bottom of the tenth and walk it off for a 9-8 win.

The Jackals are on the road at the Sussex County Miners for a weekend series as they look to hold onto first place.