LOADENTHAL CARRIES SKYHAWKS TO WALK-OFF WIN OVER JACKALS

Augusta, NJ – A ninth-inning single by Sussex Skyhawks center fielder Carl Loadenthal plated left fielder Kraig Binick with the game-winning run as the Skyhawks walked off with a come-from-behind 5-4 win over the New Jersey Jackals on Sunday afternoon at Skylands Park.

Loadenthal, who entered the game just 1-for-11 at the plate this season, went 3-for-5 and drove in three of the Skyhawks’ five runs. He finished a double short of hitting for the cycle, helping the Skyhawks take three of four games from the Jackals in the season-opening series.

The Jackals loaded the bases in the first inning on a pair of walks and a two-base error by Loadenthal, but a diving catch by Loadenthal stalled New Jersey’s attempt to plate a first-inning run for the third straight game. Then in the bottom of the first, Loadenthal laced a triple off the wall in right field to plate Binick, who began the inning with a walk, to give Sussex an early 1-0 advantage.

That score held until the top of the fourth when the Jackals scored twice to take the lead. First baseman Javon Rosa began the frame by reaching on an error by Binick on a fly ball to right field. Left fielder Kevin Clark followed with a single to place runners on the corners with no outs. Clark took off on the second pitch of the ensuing at-bat and Sussex catcher Ryan Boelsen’s throw hit the runner and ricochet towards short, allowing Rosa to scamper home from third to tie the score at one. After Clark advanced to third on his second of four stolen bases in the contest, a one-out single by left fielder Quentin Davis gave New Jersey a 2-1 advantage.

That Jackals tacked on two more runs in the top of the fifth when designated hitter Shawn Riggans led off with a solo home run to left and Grose singled home Clark, who had reached on a walk. The homer was Riggans’ second in as many days as he went 2-for-3 to improve his average to .533 (8-for-15) over the first four games of the season.

Sussex pulled within one at 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth thanks to an RBI single by shortstop Joe Persichina and a sacrifice fly off the bat of catcher Ryan Boelsen. The next inning, Loadenthal ripped a solo home run with two outs against reliever Mike Pontius to even the score at four. The homer came quickly after second baseman Chase Fontaine, the potential tying run, was thrown out trying to steal second with Loadenthal at the plate.

In the ninth, Sussex rookie third baseman Mike Megale collected his first career hit when he rifled a single through the left side of the infield. Megale was quickly erased at second on a fielders’ choice off the bat of Binick for the first out, but Fontaine followed with a one-out single to put runners on the corners. The next batter, the left-handed Loadenthal, hit a drive to center field that sliced away from New Jersey’s Jeff Grose to plate the game-winning run.

Sussex southpaw Jared Locke entered in the eighth and got the final out of the inning before holding New Jersey scoreless in the ninth to earn the win. New Jersey’s Edward Rodriguez allowed three hits, including the game-winner to Loadenthal, and recorded just one out in the bottom of the ninth to absorb the loss.

Left-hander Ryan Lobban turned in the best outing by a New Jersey starter this season, but didn’t factor in the decision after allowing three runs on four hits in 5 1/3 innings. Lobban’s seven strikeouts were one shy of his career high. Righty Dan Berlind started for Sussex and surrendered two runs, one earned, on four hits in four innings of work.

The Jackals (1-3) continue their season-opening, seven-game road trip as they travel to Pittsfield, Mass. to begin a three-game series against the Pittsfield Colonials on Monday afternoon. Monday’s first pitch is slated for 3:05 p.m. as New Jersey sends right-hander Chris Allen to the mound against Pittsfield southpaw Matt White on Memorial Day. The contest, which is the Colonials’ home opener, will mark the return of professional baseball to Wahconah Park for the first time since the Berkshire Black Bears competed in the Northeast League, the predecessor to the Can-Am League, in 2002-03. Sussex (3-1) remains at home and will host the Brockton Rox on Monday afternoon to begin a three-game series. Cody Chrusciel has the live call on the Jackals’ webcast beginning 10 minutes prior to first pitch.

Jackal Bites: Clark terrorized the Skyhawks on the bases, swiping four bags in the contest. He is tied with Binick for the Can-Am League lead with five thefts this season… New Jersey left 14 runners on base in the one-run loss… Riggans’ 2-for-3 day raised his average to .533 and pushed the former Tampa Bay catcher into the league batting lead… Davis, who went 2-for-5, is the only New Jersey batter to collect a hit in each of the team’s first four games this season.

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.