Pump Jacks thump Coppell

News Herald photo by LESTER MURRAY Ja'Ron Shepherd, a 2007 graduate of Kilgore High School now playing for the Coppell Copperheads in the Texas Collegiate League, slides safely into second base after hitting a double against the East Texas Pump Jacks Sunday night. Despite Shepherd's efforts, the Pump Jacks defeated Coppell 14-9.

There wasn't a cloud in the sky Sunday evening at Driller Park, but that doesn't mean there wasn't some thunder.

The East Texas Pump Jacks and Coppell Copperheads combined for 23 runs in the Jacks' 14-9 victory over the defending TCL champions Sunday. The win was a measure of redemption for East Texas, who dropped the front end of the two-game series on Saturday night.

The beginning of the game set the stage for the evening. Coppell touched Pump Jacks starting pitcher Bryan Dixon for a pair of runs in the top of the first, but the Jacks fired back with four in the home half of the frame. The Copperheads answered with three in the top of the second, and after nine outs, the teams had combined for nine runs.

The Jacks made the statement that they mean business right away. Facing an early deficit, Adam De La Garza opened the home first with a home run to right field, the first-ever homer hit by a Pump Jacks player at Driller Park. Jared Wondra was hit by the very next pitch, and one out later, Paige Hodges drove him in with a triple. Josh Riley and Nate Bryan each hit RBI doubles, sandwiched around an Andrew Nettune sacrifice, to steal the lead back, 4- 2.

After Coppell grabbed the lead, 5-4, in the second, the Pump Jacks found another gear in the middle innings. With two runs in the fourth inning, four more in the fifth, and three in the sixth, East Texas took a commanding 13-5 lead and never looked back.

De La Garza again kicked things off in the fourth. He and Wondra drew one-out walks, then De La Garza scored on Matt Curry's double to left-center. A sacrifice fly by Hodges scored Wondra and gave the Jacks a 6-5 lead.

The opportunistic Pump Jacks took advantage of walks and Copperheads miscues in the next frame. Nettune earned a leadoff walk, then Bryan reached on an error by shortstop Robert Barbosa. Blake Yazel followed with a walk to load the bases for Keenan Duke. Duke hit a bouncer to the first baseman, who booted the ball and then threw it away to score both Bryan and Nettune. De La Garza plated Yazel with a sacrifice fly, then Wondra scored Duke with a sac fly of his own after Duke stole third.

East Texas began a parade around the bases again in the sixth inning. The Jacks loaded the bases with one out on a Nettune walk and singles by Riley and Bryan. Yazel drove a single through the right side to score two and extend the lead to 12-5. One out later De La Garza walked to load the bases again, followed by a walk to Wondra that forced home Bryan.

The beneficiary of all this offense was Kilgore native Pat McCrory, who picked up the victory in relief. McCrory (1-1) pitched 4 2/3 innings and allowed four runs, but none of them were earned. He scattered six hits and allowed five walks while striking out four.

McCrory came in for Bryan Dixon, who tossed 4 1/3 innings and allowed three earned runs. Dixon gave up five total runs on four hits, walking five and striking out three.

Every Pump Jacks starter either scored a run or drove one in. De La Garza went 2-for-3 with two walks, two runs, and three RBI to lead the way. Bryan went 3-for-5 with two runs and an RBI, and Nettune and Yazel each posted two-hit games.

Following a Monday off-day, the Pump Jacks will welcome the Brazos Valley Bombers for their first-ever visit to East Texas on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tickets for both games are still available. The Jacks will then venture on a six-game, sevenday road trip into the middle of next week.

The Pump Jacks will return to Driller Park on Thursday, July 3, to open a six-game homestand that will include fireworks and the Independence Day weekend. The Jacks will host a special spectacular fireworks display following the game on Saturday, July 5, that is expected to surpass the awe-inspiring show fans witnessed on June 13. Other promotions are being finalized for the Independence Day weekend, with exciting announcements to come.

Tickets for Tuesday, Wednesday, and the remainder of the Jacks' inaugural season schedule are on sale now. Fans may purchase tickets at the Pump Jacks office at 1100 Stone Road, Suite 120, in Kilgore, or over the phone at (903) 218-GO ET. Tickets may also be purchased online - and printed at home on any home printer - by visiting www.pumpjacksbaseball. com.

Single-game tickets start at $5 each - or $4 for children and seniors - for grandstand general admission tickets. Upper Box seats are $8 each, and Lower Box seats, which feature inyour seat wait service, are only $10 per ticket.