'Jacks beat Bombers; return to Driller later this week
From special reports

It didn't take the East Texas Pump Jacks long to start a new winning streak.

The 'Jacks, still on their road trip, grabbed a 4-3 win over the Brazos Valley Bombers on Friday night at Bryan, as the newest Texas Collegiate League franchise continued improving.

The Pump Jacks are 7-9 overall this season, with a few games left on the current road trip (at Coppell Saturday and today, and at McKinney on Tuesday and Wednesday) before returning to Driller Park for the weekend's Independence Spectacular.

On Friday, it was Paige Hodges' RBI sac fly in the top of the ninth that gave the Pump Jacks a two-run lead. Brazos was able to score one run in the bottom of the ninth: a grounder hit by Chad Colbert scored Kip Masuda, who had doubled. But the threat ended when Kory Cleveland got Todd Cunningham of the Bombers to fly out to center.

For ET, Nate Bryan went 3- for-5. Hodges had a pair of hits, as well. Matt Curry had a ninth-inning single, and J.D. Dunn had 2 RBI.

Cleveland recorded the final two outs for the Pump Jacks. Justin Murray had started the game and pitched six good innings, allowing just six hits, no walks and two runs and notching five strikeouts. Bryan Dixon also looked good in relief, allowing one run over 2 1/3 innings.

At this writing, the 'Jacks were to visit the Coppell Copperheads on Saturday and then at 5:05 p.m. today, and then play at McKinney early this week before returning home Thursday, which kicks off the Fourth-of-July celebrations at Driller.

Thursday's contest will be another Thirsty Thursday, with 50-cent small soft drinks. On Saturday, the Pump Jacks will host a special post-game fireworks display that is expected to surpass the awe-inspiring show fans witnessed on June 13. A special Independence Day promotion is being planned, plus the Jacks are expected to announce a new "Family Night" discount for Sunday games beginning July 6. Details will be announced as they're finalized, so check your e-mail or log on to pumpjacksbaseball.com to follow all the new developments.

Tickets for the Independence Weekend celebration 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 the team's website.

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.