DESPITE RIGGANS’ BIG DAY, JACKALS COME UP SHORT IN 9-5 LOSS TO SKYHAWKS

Augusta, NJ – Jackals’ Designated hitter Shawn Riggans went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, but it wasn’t enough as the New Jersey Jackals fell to the Sussex Skyhawks 9-5 on Saturday afternoon at Skylands Park.

For the second game in a row, the Jackals started their offense in the first inning when Riggans ripped a three-run home run just inside the left field foul pole after right fielder Quentin Davis led off with a walk and second baseman Argenis Reyes reached on an error by Sussex second baseman Chase Fontaine.

However, Sussex would score the game’s next five runs to take control of the contest. The homer by Riggans proved to be the only major blemish against Skyhawks’ starter Mike McGuire (1-0), who allowed just one hit over the next four innings to earn the win. In total, McGuire worked five frames and surrendered three runs, two earned, on three hits with three walks and six strikeouts.

In the bottom of the second, a two-run home run to right by Sussex shortstop Joe Persichina, just the fourth of his four-year career, pulled the Skyhawks within one at 3-2. Sussex took the lead for good in the third when a Caleb Stewart RBI single tied it before a liner off the bat of Skyhawks’ right fielder Kade Keowen deflected off the glove of shortstop Mike DeJesus and into left field to push the go-ahead run across. The Skyhawks tacked on a run in the fifth on a fielders’ choice by Keowen to make it a 5-3 contest.

Jackals’ starter Nick Asselin (0-1) labored through five innings and eventually took the loss, allowing five runs, four earned, on seven hits with three strikeouts and a walk. Asselin also hit two batters.

New Jersey reliever Seth Overbey entered in the bottom of the sixth and Sussex blew the game open, scoring four runs on five hits to build a commanding 9-3 advantage. An RBI double by center fielder Carl Loadenthal, which broke his 0-for-9 streak to begin the season, and a two-run single by first baseman Kris Sanchez, did the bulk of the damage in the inning. Sanchez finished the day 4-for-5 after singling in each of his final four at-bats to pace the Skyhawks’ attack as Sussex outhit New Jersey 14-8.

A two-run single by center fielder Jeff Grose in the top of the seventh inning helped New Jersey close the gap at 9-5. Left-hander Isaac Pavlik proceeded to hold the Skyhawks in check in the seventh and eighth innings and the Jackals loaded the bases with one out in the ninth, but Sussex closer Duaner Sanchez came out of the bullpen and bailed the Skyhawks out of the jam by retiring second baseman Argenis Reyes and third baseman Abraham Nunez to notch his second save of the season.

Offensively for New Jersey, Riggans went 3-for-4 for the second consecutive game. He has now collected six hits in his last eight at-bats after going 0-for-4 in Thursday night’s opener. His six RBIs are tops on the Jackals.

The Jackals (1-2) and Skyhawks (2-1) conclude their four-game series on Sunday at 2:05 p.m. when New Jersey sends left-hander Ryan Lobban to the mound against Sussex righty Dan Berlind. Lobban, who spent his first professional season with the Skyhawks in 2007, will make his Jackals’ debut after pitching for the Worcester Tornadoes the past two years. Cody Chrusciel has the live call on the Jackals’ webcast beginning 10 minutes prior to first pitch.

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.