Posted: Sep 03, 2022

NO-HITTER FOR NEW JERSEY JACKAL JORGE TAVAREZ IN DEFEAT AGAINST MINERS

New Jersey vs Sussex County

The New Jersey Jackals returned to the U.S. after going 2-4 in Canada to face the Sussex County Miners in the first game of their last series of the season.

New Jersey had long since been eliminated from playoff contention, but had a tremendous opportunity to play spoiler to Sussex's playoff hopes this weekend. Manager Brooks Carey called upon RHP Jorge Tavarez for the start, a decision that will live forever in Jackals history.

The Loma De Cabrera, Dominican Republic native turned in his most outstanding performance as a professional. He threw 147 pitches, 85 for strikes and recorded 16 strikeouts to set the Jackals All-Time Single Season Strikeout record, which would be a story in and of itself, except that he did it while firing a no-hitter to end any hope of Sussex making postseason play.

The offense provided early run support thanks to OF Joe Simone's first home run of the season, a two run shot to right field, scoring 3B Austin Markman. In the third, a Justin Wylie two-RBI single would double the lead to 4-0. That was followed by a C Jason Agresti RBI single and a sacrifice fly from Markman to set the Jackals comfortably ahead 6-0.

Tavarez ran into some trouble in the bottom of the third, issuing four walks over five batters to drive in a run for the home side, but that would be the only serious threat Sussex would muster on the night. 1B Dalton Combs added the last bit of offense in the fourth with an RBI single, giving the Jackals a 7-1 lead.

Back to Tavarez's masterpiece: the diminutive righty recorded a strikeout in every inning except the bottom of the ninth and twice struck out the side. His 8th inning strike out of Miners Catcher Jackson Pritchard set the Jackals record for single season strikeouts, a mark that had stood for two decades since Joel Bennett recorded 141.

With the dominance of Tavarez and wins by the New York Boulders and Ottawa Titans, Sussex County has been mathematically eliminated from the playoff race. The two long-time Jersey rivals will meet again on Saturday at 6:05pm at Skylands Stadium, where the Jackals will be looking to clinch a victory in the season series, which currently stands at 6-4 in their favor.

New York vs Trois-Rivieres

Gabriel Garcia knocked in five runs as the visiting New York Boulders came from behind to take down the Trois-Rivieres Aigles, 8-7, on Friday night at Stade Quillorama in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada.

The victory was the 10th in a row for the Boulders, who improved to 28-11 since July 13. The win, coupled with the Sussex County Miners' 7-1 loss to the New Jersey Jackals, clinched a playoff spot for New York, which remained tied with the Ottawa Titans, 4-1 winners on Friday versus the first-place Quebec Capitales, for second place in the Frontier League's Eastern Division.

Excluding the 2020 season cancelled because of the pandemic, the Boulders have qualified for the playoffs in either the Can-Am or Frontier League in seven of the past eight seasons.

In this topsy-turvy game, the Boulders struck for three runs in the top of the eighth to grab the lead at 8-7. A Chris Kwitzer single brought New York within one run at 7-6; then Garcia lashed a double to the gap in left-center that plated Austin Dennis and Kwitzer to give New York the lead at 8-7.

The Aigles had battled back from a 4-0 deficit after 2 ½ innings to claim a 7-5 lead through six innings.

L.P. Pelletier started the Trois-Rivieres comeback with a two-run, third inning home run off New York starter Kyle Mott. The homer was Pelletier's 14th of the season and cut the Aigles' deficit to 4-2.

In the fourth inning, an Ethan Hunt RBI single brought the Aigles to within 4-3; then, in the fifth, after Conor Panas walked, Juan Santana doubled to put runners on second and third. Boulders' reliever Ryan Munoz uncorked a pair of wild pitches that enabled both runners to score and give the home team a 5-4 advantage.

The Boulders leveled matters in the top of the sixth when Ray Hernandez blasted a solo home run, tying the contest at 5-5. The home run was Hernandez' fourth of the season and the Boulders' 146th of the year, tying the team mark set back in 2018.

The Aigles, however, touched up Munoz for two more runs in the sixth to take a 7-5 lead. A Pelletier single plated one run, then with Dan Wirchansky on in relief of Munoz, Panas knocked in another run with a groundout.

New York had built their 4-0 lead on a Max Smith RBI single in the second, as well as a three-run home run in the third by Gabriel Garcia, his 18th of the year.

Wirchansky got the win for New York, twirling 3 2/3 scoreless innings to improve to 5-4 on the season. He walked three and struck out six. Matt Leon came on with runners on second and third and two outs in the ninth and retired Myles Miller on a pop out to shortstop Austin Dennis to close out the win and pick up his fourth save of the year,

Christian Allegretti, the fourth of five Aigles' pitchers on the night, took the loss and fell to 3-2 on the year.

Tri City vs Empire State

The Empire State Greys and Tri-City ValleyCats kicked off the final series of the regular season Friday night at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium.

Right Hander Kyle Arjona took the mound for the 'Cats, while ambidextrous pitcher Misuki Akatsuka took the mound for Empire State.

Empire State would get to Arjona in the early stages of the game, scoring two runs in the first inning, singles from both Willies Estrada and Jordan Holloman-Scott both plated a run. In the second, the visitors would tack on a third run against Arjona, this time an RBI single from Robbie Carling.

Tri-City's offense would start off quiet, only having Cito Culver and Jesus Lujano reach base in the first two innings.

Empire State would add to their lead during the third inning, a John Benevolent RBI fielder's choice brought home the fourth Greys run of the game, giving the visiting team an early cushion.

The 'Cats offense would get going in the home half of the third inning, sending ten batters to the plate. An RBI single from Pavin Parks plated two runners, cutting the Greys lead in half. Brad Zunica would record an RBI single himself, making it a one-run lead. Carson McCusker would follow Zunica with an RBI double, tying the game at four.

Following a quiet fourth inning for both offenses, John Benevolent would break the tie with an opposite field, two-run home run against reliever Brett Hanewich, regaining the lead for Empire State.

Brad Zunica would record his second hit of the night with one out in the fifth inning, a double that put him in scoring position. Following a McCusker ground out, Jesus Lujano would work a walk, putting two on for Campagna. The 'Cats left fielder would double down the left field line, plating both runners to reclaim the lead, taking a 7-6 advantage into the later innings.

Both offenses would go quiet during the sixth and seventh innings. Jose Cruz would retire Empire State in order during the top half of the eighth, carrying a one-run lead into the bottom of the inning.

The 'Cats would bat around for the second time this game, this time sending 11 batsmen to the dish. Following a lead off double to Austin Bernard, Greys reliever Jesus Rosario would walk both Cito Culver and Brantley Bell, loading the bases for Pavin Parks. An infield single would plate Bernard, adding to the 'Cats lead. Denis Phipps would get in on the action with an RBI single of his own, bringing both Culver and Bell in to score. Brad Zunica's third hit of the night came during the eighth inning rally, a cue shot single that plated Parks. An RBI single from Jesus Lujano would plate the fifth run of the inning, giving Tri-City a 12-6 lead they would never surrender.

Right handed reliever Brac Warren would record a scoreless top of the ninth inning to shut the door and secure the victory for Tri-City.

Ottawa vs Quebec

The Ottawa Titans (55-38) took down the Quebec Capitales 4-1 on Friday night, clinching a spot in the 2022 Frontier League Postseason.

Henry Omana (loss, 2-2) retired 10 of the first 11 he faced on the night before Rodrigo Orozco opened up the scoring with a solo homer in the fourth. Orozco's seventh homer of the year cleared the wall in right, for his first round-tripper since July 4.

Two batters later, Jake Sanford belted his 21st of the year the opposite way to left, making it 2-0.

Clay Fisher ripped a base-hit up the middle, scoring a Tyrus Greene leadoff walk in the fifth. Omana gave way to the bullpen who retired nine straight out of the gate.

The run support would be enough for Jose Taveras (win, 7-2), who tossed six and a third for the win. The righty allowed just one run, on five hits, walking one, and striking out a pair for the quality start.

Matt Valin rolled a ground ball off the bat of Ruben Castro in the seventh, scoring TJ White.

In the ninth, AJ Wright added some much-needed insurance with an RBI single, scoring a Kai Moody leadoff double.

Nelson Gonzalez and Kevin Escorcia (save, 17) shut down the victory in the eighth and ninth, taking the series opener.

Washington vs Windy City

Washington's offensive roll continued Friday as they pounded out 11 hits and scored eight times in an 8-2 win over the Windy City ThunderBolts to begin the final series of the regular season Friday in Washington.

The ThunderBolts got on the board first in the first inning with an RBI single by Jake Boone that highlighted a three-hit inning. Washington had a three-hit frame of its own in the bottom half, notching three-consecutive one-out doubles. Tyler Wilber doubled to the left-field wall, scored on a double by Cam Balego, who scored on the next two-bagger, off the bat of Wagner Lagrange.

Windy City scored its final run of the game in the third inning on a groundout as Justin Showalter settled into his fifth start. Showalter earned his fourth win with a quality start, as he logged a season-high and career-high seven innings pitched. He allowed two runs on seven hits and fanned two.

The home team got on the board again, answering the run in the top of the third by the Bolts in the bottom half with a three spot. Anthony Brocato, with the bases full due to three walks, doubled down the third-base and subsequently the left-field line to plate all three runners and make it 5-2 Wild Things. Washington added two runs in the sixth, one on an error and a second on an RBI knock from Wilber. Wilber then doubled home a run in the eighth.

Kenny Pierson pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Dan Kubiuk finished the game by striking out the side around a two-out walk in the ninth.

Evansville vs Florence

The Evansville Otters scored four runs in each of the third and the seventh innings to cruise past the Florence Y'alls 8-1 at Thomas More Stadium.

With the win, the Otters' magic number to clinch a playoff spot drops to one. Evansville can clinch a playoff spot tonight with a Lake Erie loss to Gateway.

Brennan Price hit a first inning home run to get the Y'alls rolling with an early lead, but it would prove to be the only run Florence would score. Price has hit three first inning home runs against the Otters in the past four head-to-head games.

After that, it was all Evansville. The Otters scored four in the third inning on a pair of two-run hits, a double for JR Davis and a single for Miles Gordon. Only two of the runs were earned. In the seventh, Dakota Phillips launched a grand slam to dead center for the 8-1 lead. Austin Gossman ended up going six innings with five strikeouts to earn the win.

Jonaiker Villalobos went six-plus innings for the Y'alls on the mound. Six of the runs allowed were his responsibility, though four were earned. Making his final start of the year, the Y'alls' Opening Day starter struck out six and walked just one. Darrien Williams struck out two in the eighth, and position player Bryant Flete logged his fifth scoreless inning of the year in the ninth, including one strikeout.

Outside of the home run for Price – his sixth in the last 11 games – Luke Harper extended his hitting streak to four games. Ethan Stern had a pair of hits as well. George Calil had a three-hit game for Evansville.

Gateway vs Lake Erie

The Gateway Grizzlies scored six runs in the first inning, two runs in the second, and three in the sixth to power their offense to an 11-2 victory over the Lake Erie Crushers on Friday night at GCS Credit Union Ballpark.

In the top of the first inning, former Grizzlie Connor Owings got the scoring started for Lake Erie with a leadoff solo home run off Gateway starter Brendan Feldmann (7-8) to make it 1-0. But the Grizzlies responded in a big way in the bottom of the frame off Lake Erie starter Kevin Holcomb (1-1). With the bases loaded and one out, a wild pitch allowed Andrew Penner to score and tie the ballgame. Two batters later with two outs, Jay Prather drew an RBI walk to give the Grizzlies a 2-1 lead. Then, Ian Bibiloni launched a grand slam to left field to expand the lead to 6-1.

Gateway added two more runs in the bottom of the second with back-to-back RBI singles by Kevin Krause and Zach Racusin, which gave Gateway an 8-1 lead. After three scoreless innings for both teams, the Grizzlies added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run single by Racusin and another RBI hit by Prather to complete their scoring.

Meanwhile, Feldmann finished off his 2022 season with a victory on the mound, tossing six innings of one-run ball while striking out seven batters, and finishing the season with 116 strikeouts in 116 1/3 innings for the Grizzlies.

Schaumburg vs Joliet

The Schaumburg Boomers won in extra innings for the first time since the opening roadtrip of the year, recording a 4-3 victory in 10 innings over the Joliet Slammers to open the final series of the regular season.

Alec Craig led off the game with a solo homer, his eighth of the year, to put the Boomers ahead. Craig has hit four leadoff homers this season including two at Joliet. Clint Hardy opened the second with a double and scored on a two-out infield hit from Brett Milazzo. The lead extended to 3-0 in the third on a Mike Hart RBI single. Joliet was able to tie the game with three two-out runs in the bottom of the third. Both teams had chances but neither could come through as the contest moved into extra innings. Starting with a runner at second, Schaumburg grabbed the lead on an RBI single from Hardy to score the international runner. Darrell Thompson posted two strikeouts in the 10th to reach 90 for the year and tally his 17th save.

Aaron Glickstein worked five innings in a no-decision. Thomas Nicoll struck out 2.2 blank innings of relief. Jake Joyce collected the win, the 22nd of his career, by fanning two in 1.1 innings. The win marked the 22nd of his career to equal the team's career record. Craig finished with three hits while Hardy and Milazzo posted two apiece.

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