SKYHAWKS' VICARO VICTORIOUS IN RETURN TO LITTLE FALLS

Little Falls, NJ – Right-hander Mike Vicaro returned to the mound at Yogi Berra Stadium and tossed six solid innings against his former team as the Sussex Skyhawks defeated the New Jersey Jackals 7-4 on Wednesday night.

Vicaro (2-0), who spent much of the past four seasons in a Jackals’ uniform, notched his second win in as many starts with the Skyhawks. The 26-year-old New Jersey native allowed just one run on three hits with four walks and five strikeouts.

After the Skyhawks plated an unearned run against New Jersey starter A.J. Wideman in the top of the first on a Kris Sanchez two-out RBI single, the Jackals countered in the bottom of the second on an RBI single by third baseman Abraham Nunez to tie the score at 1-1.

Sussex plated two more in the third on run-scoring singles by center fielder Carl Loadenthal and Sanchez to take a 3-1 lead before shortstop Chase Fontaine’s fourth home run of the season in the seventh, a two-run shot off reliever Edgar Estanga with Kraig Binick aboard, extended the Skyhawks advantage to 5-1.

In the bottom of the eighth, a two-out, two-run double to right center off the bat of designated hitter Shawn Riggans pulled New Jersey within two at 5-3, but a two-run blast in the ninth by Sussex cleanup hitter Caleb Stewart gave the Skyhawks a 7-3 cushion.

Sussex closer Duaner Sanchez entered in a non-save situation in the bottom of the ninth and New Jersey cut its deficit to 7-4 on a one-out RBI single by right fielder Kevin Clark, but the former New York Mets hurler settled down the Jackals and retired the next two batters to seal the victory.

Wideman (3-4) suffered his third straight loss after surrendering five runs, three earned, on seven hits in seven innings. The southpaw fanned five batters and walked one. Estanga yielded two runs on three hits in two innings of relief. Skyhawks reliever Matt Salvato contributed a perfect inning of relief in the victory.

Offensively for New Jersey, Nunez went 2-for-3 and is now 6-for-10 during the first three games of the five-game set against Sussex. For the Skyhawks, Binick, Loadenthal, and Sanchez each collected a pair of hits.

Sussex, which dropped both ends of Tuesday night’s doubleheader, now leads the season series against New Jersey 5-4.

The Jackals and Skyhawks play the fourth contest of their five-game series on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. at Yogi Berra Stadium when New Jersey right-hander Dan Griffin (2-1, 6.46) takes the mound against Sussex righty Jusef Frias (1-1, 4.97). 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.