'Jacks split twinbill at Coppell; return to Driller on Thursday
TEXAS COLLEGIATE LEAGUE BASEBALL
By MITCH LUCAS sports@kilgorenewsherald.com

Saturday's game was a wash in Coppell due to rain, so the homestanding Copperheads - including former Kilgore High standout Jaron Shepherd - hosted the East Texas Pump Jacks twice on Sunday, a double header.

Coppell took a win in game one, beating the 'Jacks 3-2, but Kilgore's first-year Texas Collegiate League franchise bounced back in game two with a 5-0 blanking of the Copperheads, the Pump Jacks' first ever shutout victory.

The 'Jacks are in a three-way tie for second place in the fourteam TCL: ET, Brazos Valley and Coppell each have 8-10 records, and McKinney leads the pack at 12-6.

After taking the day off on Mon- day, the Pump Jacks will get the chance to change that tonight. The 'Jacks visit McKinney for a two-game series tonight and on Wednesday, with both games beginning at 7:05 p.m.

Sunday in game one of the doubleheader at Coppell, the Copperheads trailed 2-1 before plating a pair of runs in the sixth, then holding on to win. Josh Riley and Adam De La Garza each had two hits for ET.

In the Pump Jacks' win in game two on Sunday, Brian Dixon was impressive on the mound, holding Coppell to just three hits. De La Garza continued his good day, going 2-for-four with 3 RBI, and one of those hits a home run. Logan Moro had a hit. Matt Curry went 1-for-3 and Jared Wondra went 2-for-3 with an RBI and scored twice.

The team comes home to Driller Park for a weekend set of games against Brazos Valley on Thursday and Friday, and against McKinney on Saturday and Sunday. Every single one of those games is set to begin at 7:05 p.m.

Although the Fourth of July is actually Friday, the franchise plans a fireworks show after the game on Saturday night. Team officials say the fireworks this weekend will be even better than the show on June 13. Tickets for this weekend's Independence 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.

Looking ahead after this weekend, the Pump Jacks play 21 games the remainder of July. They'll take Monday, July 7 off before hosting Coppell here next Tuesday and Wednesday, visit McKinney on Thursday and host the Marshals Friday.