Ninth-inning rally gives Pump Jacks 8-7 win
Team plays again at McKinney tonight; comes home Thursday
By MITCH LUCAS sports@kilgorenewsherald.com

Turns out the road has been pretty kind to the East Texas Pump Jacks over the last week.

The Pump Jacks, playing in their very first season, picked up another Texas Collegiate League victory Tuesday night, beating TCL-leading McKinney, 8-7, scoring three runs in the top of the ninth inning to get the job done. East Texas has won three of its five road games since Thursday, and has one more tonight: again in McKinney, a 7:05 p.m. start.

It's a busy week for the Pump Jacks (8-10), whose last off day was Monday, and there won't be another for a while. After concluding that six-game road trip tonight, the 'Jacks will come home for games against Brazos Valley on Thursday and Friday, then host McKinney on Saturday and Sunday, all 7:05 p.m. starts. The Independence Weekend fireworks spectacular will follow Saturday night's game.

Tickets for this weekend's games 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 are only $10 per ticket.

Tuesday at McKinney, University of Texas standout Pat McCrory, the Pump Jacks' only player from Kilgore, managed an RBI single to bring the 'Jacks within a run (7-6). Paige Hodges followed just moments later with a 2-RBI single that put East Texas in front, 8-7. The Marshals couldn't plate a run in the bottom of the ninth, and the Pump Jacks had earned their first win at McKinney.

Matt Shelton was credited with the win, his first decision this season. Shelton pitched the final three innings, and held the Marshals scoreless. Clint Helms was on the mound for the first three innings, striking out two and allowing three runs on a pair of hits. Nate Bryan had a key ninth-inning hit. McCrory, Jared Wondra and Josh Riley each had two hits, and Matt Curry had a big tworun home run in the third inning.