JACKALS OUTSLUG SKYHAWKS 10-9 FOR FIRST WIN OF SEASON

Augusta, NJ – In a three hour, 47 minute contest that featured a combined 16 runs over the first four innings, the New Jersey Jackals used a 15-hit onslaught to defeat the Sussex Skyhawks 10-9 on Friday night at Skylands Park.

A night after the Jackals mustered just five singles in a 4-3 opening-night loss, New Jersey pounded out five extra-base hits as every starter collected at least one hit. Designated hitter Shawn Riggans led the charge, going 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs, and three runs scored. Right fielder Quentin Davis crossed the plate twice and laced a one-out triple in the seventh, scoring what proved to be the game-winning run on a wild pitch by Justin Dignelli. First baseman Jovan Rosa also doubled and drove in two runs in a 3-for-5 night at the dish.

In the back-and-forth contest, the Jackals turned the tide in the top of the fourth. New Jersey trailed 6-4 heading into the frame before stringing together five consecutive one-out hits to take an 8-6 lead. The Skyhawks plated two runs in the bottom of the inning on a two-run single by designated hitter Caleb Stewart, but they never regained the lead.

Sussex threatened in the bottom of the ninth, but sparkling defense by New Jersey helped Romas Hicks nail down his first save of the season. With one out, Skyhawks’ third baseman Jansy Infante ripped a double down the left field line. Later in the frame, a two-out walk to second baseman Chase Fontaine put the potential winning run aboard with center fielder Carl Loadenthal stepping up to bat. With an 0-2 count, Loadenthal ripped a shot off the leg of Hicks, which deflected towards second baseman Argenis Reyes whose low, off-balanced throw was scooped by Rosa at first base for the exhilarating final out. Reyes had made a diving stop an inning earlier and forced out Stewart at second on a sharp grounder off the bat of first baseman Kris Sanchez to prevent the Skyhawks’ potential go-ahead run from reaching base.

The starting pitchers, Dan Griffin for New Jersey and Jusef Frias for Sussex, combined to surrender 16 runs but neither factored in the decision. Griffin allowed eight runs, six earned, over 3 2/3 innings while Frias was roughed up for eight earned runs on 10 hits with five walks in four frames. Rookie left-hander Luis Fernandez earned his first career win in his Jackals debut, striking out three batters in two shutout innings of relief. Sussex reliever Donald Jordat was saddled with the loss after allowing the go-ahead run in the sixth inning on the Clark sacrifice fly. New Jersey’s Mike Pontius played a key role out of bullpen as well, entering with two outs in the seventh after Edward Rodriguez loaded the bases and retiring Loadenthal to thwart the Sussex rally.

The Jackals (1-1) and Skyhawks (1-1) continue their four-game series on Saturday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. when New Jersey sends right-hander Nick Asselin, whose 10 wins a season ago tied for the Can-Am League lead, to the mound against Sussex 6-foot-7 righty Mike McGuire. Cody Chrusciel has the live call on the Jackals’ webcast, beginning 10 minutes prior to first pitch.

Jackal Bites: The teams combined for 13 strikeouts, with just two batters going down swinging… New Jersey had its leadoff batter aboard in each of the first six innings.... The Skyhawks stranded 12 runners on base while the Jackals left 11… The Skyhawks stole six bases in the contest and are 8-for-9 on the season... The bottom four hitters in New Jersey’s lineup (Rosa, Clark, Scott Knazek, and Jeff Grose) went 8-for-16 in Friday’s win after going 1-for-14 in Thursday’s loss… Despite the length of the game, most of the 2,314 fans in attendance stuck around for postgame fireworks… The win for Fernandez, a New Jersey native and Seton Hall product, came in his fourth career game after he made three appearances for the Atlantic League’s Newark Bears earlier this spring.

The New Jersey Jackals, proud members of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, play their home games at Yogi Berra Stadium located on the campus of Montclair State University in Little Falls, NJ. 2010 season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 973-746-7434. Visit the Jackals online at www.jackals.com.