'Jacks ink a pair of pitchers
TEXAS COLLEGIATE LEAGUE BASEBALL
From special reports

The East Texas Pump Jacks bolstered their pitching staff with the announcement today that the team has signed three pitchers from Panola College in nearby Carthage.

Starting pitchers Scott Copeland, from White Oak, and Chad Sherman, from Bullard, will be joined by closer Aaron Wilkerson on the Pump Jacks' staff.

The trio joins Khris Tate, out of Carthage High School via Weatherford College, and Saint Louis University's Scott Turmail as hurlers for the firstyear club. The announcement also gives the Pump Jacks nine players thus far for the squad's inaugural season, though the team indicated more signings will be released soon.

The 'Jacks just recently announced the franchise's name and presented their logos, and will begin their first season of play June 10. Their first home game at Driller Park is scheduled for June 12.

Copeland arrives as a front of the rotation pitcher who has been arguably the Ponies' top starter this spring. His 8-4 record gives him the team lead in victories and his 2.47 ERA is tops among starters at Panola. He has allowed 53 hits in 58.1 innings pitched and walked only 17 while striking out 42. Copeland is tied for third in Region XIV in wins and ranks among the top ten in the conference in ERA, helping earn him Region XIV Eastern Conference All-Conference honors. The sophomore standout is committed to continue his playing career at Southern Mississippi next year.

Copeland's success at Panola follows an all-star career at White Oak High School. A four-year starter in baseball, he was an all-district performer as a junior and senior, and he was named all-East Texas as a sen- ior. Copeland also displayed his athletic prowess on the gridiron as a two-time all-district wide receiver, and he set a school record in the triple jump.

Sherman is another soughtafter Panola sophomore with East Texas roots. The Bullard graduate is a hard-luck 3-6, although his 3.00 ERA and team-leading 79 strikeouts in 66 innings are more indicative of his abilities. He ranks third in Region XIV in strikeouts and strikeout rate (1.20 per inning) this season. His performance this spring comes on the heels of a stunning freshman campaign with the Ponies that saw him write his name in the record books. The hulking righthander finished second in Region XIV with a 1.90 ERA, earning a spot on the all-conference team and an invitation to the Texas-New Mexico Junior College All-Star Game.

At Bullard High School, Sherman was twice named to the all-state team, once at third base and then at catcher. It was recently announced that Sherman will fulfill a dream next year after signing to play with defending Big 12 champion Texas A&M.

This will mark the second consecutive summer that Copeland and Sherman have played summer collegiate baseball together. Last year, the two tackled the Valley League as members of the Staunton Braves in Staunton, Virginia. Copeland went 1-2 with a 4.07 ERA, while Sherman shined with a 5-2 mark and a 2.47 ERA. Sher- man finished first or second on the team in nearly all major pitching categories and ranked among the league leaders in ERA and opponents' batting average (.191).

Only a freshman at Panola, Wilkerson has wasted no time in making his mark. As the Ponies' closer he has notched 12 saves to lead all junior college players in the nation in that category. Wilkerson's 1.58 ERA leads Region XIV and ranks 12th in the country in NJCAA Div. I. He is 3-1 with 61 strikeouts in 57 innings, surrendering only 40 hits and 19 walks. Ranking among the region leaders in strikeouts and innings, it's no surprise that Wilkerson joined Copeland on the all-conference team this spring.

Wilkerson prepped at Midway High School in Waco, where he was named district MVP as a senior. That season, he went 7-5 with a 2.32 ERA and 87 strikeouts to earn his way onto the all-district and Super Cen-Tex teams.

The three Ponies-turned- Pump Jacks will be in action this weekend in the Region XIV post-season tournament. Fourth-seeded Panola, which opens against the top-seeded squad from San Jacinto Junior College, is hoping to make its first trip to the JUCO World Series since 1979.

The Pump Jacks are still seeking families to host players like Aaron Wilkerson this summer. Hosting a player is a great experience that forges a lifelong bond with a young man, a relationship that transcends the game of baseball. Host families also receive free season tickets for every member of their household. If you're interested in finding out more about the host family program, please contact the Pump Jacks at (903) 218-GO ET or info@pumpjacksbaseball.com.

Season tickets for the Pump Jacks inaugural season are on sale now. For more information on Upper and Lower Box seats, in-your-seat wait service, the Pump Jacks Premier Club, and all there is to know about season tickets for the inaugural season, visit the team's web site at pumpjacksbaseball.com; stop by the team's offices at 1100 Stone Road, Suite 120 in Kilgore; or call the Pump Jacks at their brand new office phone, (903) 218-GO ET.