Marshals hand 'Jacks a road loss
Team comes home to Driller tonight for lengthy home stand
By MITCH LUCAS sports@kilgorenewsherald.com

Walking onto the field tonight at Driller Park and not having to get back on a bus is probably very popular right now in the East Texas Pump Jacks' locker room, although the first-year Texas Collegiate League franchise didn't do too badly in its six-game road trip.

The road trip ended Wednesday with a 7- 2 loss at McKinney, and a long home-game stand begins tonight. The Pump Jacks (8- 11 this season to date) will host Brazos Valley tonight at 7:05 p.m., then do so again on Friday. McKinney will be the opponent once again on Saturday and Sunday, also both 7:05 p.m. start times.

Wednesday at McKinney, the 'Jacks managed to cut a 4- 0 lead in half with a couple of runs in the top of the sixth. Adam De La Garza scored on an RBI single by Matt Curry, who finished with two hits, and then Kilgore native Pat McCrory scored on a double by J.D. Dunn.

It was Justin Fowler who suffered the loss for East Texas. Fowler (0-2), drafted by the Atlanta Braves, allowed four runs on six hits and walked eight in four innings.

The 'Jacks had five hits: two by Curry, and one each by De La Garza, McCrory and Dunn.

News from the Pump Jacks' website:

• Small drinks are just 50 cents at the concession stand tonight.

• On Friday, the 'Jacks will

celebrate Independence Day with an exciting giveaway. The first 500 fans through the gates will receive a free Pump Jacks inaugural season Tshirt, sponsored by Benchmark Events & Promotions, sporting the Jacks' colorful inaugural season logo on the front. It's a shirt that you can't buy from the Pump Jacks; the only way to get one will be at Friday night's game at Driller Park.

• On Saturday, the Pump Jacks will host a special postgame fireworks display. This Independence Weekend fireworks show feature an exclusive soundtrack created just for the occasion.

• On Sunday, East Texas will host the first family night of the season, with discounts on tickets and meal packages available that will certainly appeal to families - or maybe just friends looking to come to the ballpark and save a few bucks. Four grandstand tickets will cost just $12. Fans will also have the option of purchasing a meal package with their tickets, bringing the total for all four guests, including both tickets and meals, to only $25.