ASSELIN STIFLES ROX AS JACKALS WIN HOME OPENER 1-0

Little Falls, NJ – Jackals’ starter Nick Asselin hurled seven shutout innings and left fielder Kevin Clark drove in the game’s only run on a sixth-inning sacrifice fly as the New Jersey Jackals defeated the Brockton Rox, 1-0, in their home opener on Thursday night at Yogi Berra Stadium.

Asselin (1-1) earned the win after allowing just four hits while striking out six batters over seven frames. Jackals’ reliever Mike Pontius pitched a scoreless eighth before closer Romas Hicks retired the Brockton side in order in the top of the ninth to notch his third save in as many opportunities.

The Rox threatened in the top of the sixth when they used a pair of singles to place runners on second and third with two outs, but a diving stop by Jackals third baseman Abraham Nunez on a liner off the bat of Rox first baseman Melvin Falu kept the game scoreless.

In the bottom of the seventh, right fielder Jeff Grose and first baseman Matt Stiffler began the inning back-to-back singles. After a sacrifice bunt by rookie center fielder Mike Consolmagno advanced the runners to second and third, Clark lifted a deep fly ball to right that enabled Grose to scamper home with the lone run of the contest. Stiffler had entered the game in the top of the seventh when he replaced starter Jovan Rosa.

Brockton righty Mike Smith (1-1) suffered the tough-luck loss after surrendering one run on eight hits in seven innings. Rox designated hitter Scott Wearme went 3-for-3 with a double in the losing effort. For New Jersey, Nunez and shortstop Mike DeJesus each collected two hits.

The Jackals (3-5) and Rox (3-4) continue their four-game series on Friday at 7:05 p.m. when New Jersey sends southpaw Ryan Lobban (0-0, 5.06 ERA) to the mound against Brockton lefty Mike Wlodarczyk (0-0, 5.40 ERA). Cody Chrusciel has the live call on the Jackals webcast beginning 10 minutes prior to first pitch at www.jackals.com.

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.