Pump Jacks score 10 in win over Bombers
TEXAS COLLEGIATE LEAGUE BASEBALL

One year ago, the Brazos Valley Bombers were the new kids on the TCL block, reaching the playoffs in their inaugural season of play.

This year, it's the East Texas Pump Jacks who are new to the league, and they sent a message to the Bombers on Tuesday night: We're here to stay.

The Pump Jacks took a 9-1 lead Tuesday night and coasted to a 10-5 win over the Bombers, who were making their first visit to Driller Park. The win moved East Texas to 5-8 on the young season, two games behind the other three TCL franchises, which are all tied for first place.

The Jacks' bats provided the fuel for this victory, scoring at least seven runs for the sixth straight game. In those six games, East Texas has scored an average of ten runs per game and posted a 4-2 record. Tuesday also marked the fourth straight contest in which they have scored in the first inning of play.

Pat McCrory, who has started so many recent rallies for the Pump Jacks, got things started in the first inning with a oneout walk. Matt Curry followed with a single, and both runners moved up on a groundout by Paige Hodges. JD Dunn then singled to left to drive in Mc- Crory.

East Texas added to the lead with two runs in the second frame. The home team loaded the bases with two outs on walks to Austin Roff, Adam De La Garza, and McCrory. Curry then hit a hard grounder that was mishandled by Bombers third baseman Terry Sperring, which scored Roff and De La Garza.

Brazos Valley got on the board in the top of the third - without the benefit of a hit. Pump Jacks starter Clint Helms battled a case of wildness, walking the bases loaded with no outs. The Bombers scored a run on a wild pitch, then picked up another walk to load the bases again. But Helms escaped with a strikeout and a pair of popups to maintain a 3-1 East Texas lead.

The Jacks blew the game open in the middle innings, posting a run in each of the fourth and sixth frames, sandwiched around a four-spot in the fifth.

In the fourth, Keenan Duke doubled, moved to third on a groundout, then scored on a wild pitch.

The Pump Jacks benefited from a series of Brazos Valley mistakes in the fifth inning. Dunn reached on a leadoff error and scored on an RBI single by Garrett Smith. A pair of walks loaded the bases with one out, then a wild pitch scored Nate Bryan. An RBI grounder by De La Garza plated Smith. After an error by catcher Kip Masuda and another walk for McCrory, De La Garza scored on yet another Bombers wild pitch.

The sixth inning saw the Jacks score on three singles. Hodges led off with a safety, followed two outs later by a single by Smith. Roff drove in Hodges with a single through the left side.

After the Bombers scored in the seventh to inch closer at 9- 2, the Pump Jacks answered with a run of their own. Pinchhitter Blake Yazel reached on an error by Brazos Valley right fielder Chad Colbert to lead off. He moved up to second on a wild pitch, then scored when pinch-hitter Dexter Moreno doubled to right.

The Bombers posted three runs in the eighth inning, but it was too little, too late. Brazos Valley didn't post a hit until opening the sixth inning with a pair of singles that chased Helms. Helms (1-1) went fiveplus innings and surrendered just those two hits and one run, though he walked seven and struck out four.

Matt Shelton relieved Helms and showed just how much his pitches can move - sometimes, even too much. In two innings of work, the Sam Houston State freshman struck out the side twice. But he also walked five batters and gave up a run, even though no Brazos Valley hitter could get a bead on his pitching.

Steven Martin was roughed up a bit in the eighth, and Daniel Nottebart came on the get the Jacks out of the inning. Aaron Wilkerson tossed a perfect ninth, striking out two, to end the game.

The Pump Jacks scored their ten runs on only nine hits, taking advantage of nine walks and four Bombers errors. McCrory drew four of those walks to push his team-leading total to 14 on the season. Smith and Roff each had two hits, an RBI, and a run scored. De La Garza added two runs scored.

The Jacks and Bombers complete their two-game series at Driller Park Wednesday night at Driller Park. The game begins at 7:05 pm, with gates opening at 6 pm. 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 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.