Picture From Mike Lieberman
FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
The East Texas Pump Jacks are so accustomed to late-inning comebacks that sometimes it might appear the Jacks are just toying with the opposition, giving early leads only to steal them away.
It’s a dangerous game to play, and sometimes it doesn’t always go according to plan. Such was the case Saturday night, when the Pump Jacks fell to the Coppell Copperheads, 5-2, although the home team had the tying run on base in the bottom of the ninth inning.
The game marked the home team’s return to Driller Park after a long road trip, a six-game, seven-day affair that saw them visit every other team in the league. The Jacks went 4-2 on the trip and hoped to build on that momentum coming home.
But it was the Copperheads who drew first blood. Coppell picked up two runs in the second inning and another in the third off of starting pitcher Hunter Harris. The Gladewater native, who missed the beginning of the season with elbow and shoulder injuries, was making his first start of the summer for East Texas after a pair of relief appearances. Coppell added another run in the fifth inning to take a 4-0 lead.
The Jacks answered in the home half of the fifth. Nate Bryan picked up a one-out single and promptly stole second. Logan Moro walked, then both runners moved up on a passed ball. One batter later, Adam De La Garza beat out an infield single to score Bryan and put East Texas on the board.
Harris would finish out the sixth inning without any further damage by the Copperheads. In six innings of work he allowed four runs, only two of them earned, one five hits and two walks. He struck out two.
Luke Burnett came on in relief of Harris and worked a season-long three innings to finish the game. The Louisiana Tech product allowed a run in the seventh without a hit, seeing a leadoff walk advance on a wild pitch and a sacrifice, then score on a groundout. In fact, Burnett didn’t allow a safety on the night, giving up the lone run on three walks with three strikeouts.
East Texas would pick up another run in the eighth inning. Matt Curry walked on four pitches, stole second base, and snagged third on a passed ball. One batter later, J.D. Dunn bounced a single up the middle to score Curry and close the gap to 5-2.
The Pump Jacks would make it interesting in the ninth inning. The home team loaded the bases with one out, but there wasn’t enough magic dust to turn this comeback into a victory.
The Jacks outhit the Copperheads, 6-5, though none of the hits for either team went for extra bases. East Texas spread their hits around, with no player posting a multi-hit evening. Ultimately, it was missed opportunities that doomed the Pump Jacks, who left 11 runners on base compared to Coppell’s two.
The two teams will return to action Sunday at 5:05 pm at Driller Park, when the Jacks will host Family Night. Pump Jacks Family Night offers fans a family four-pack of grandstand tickets for just $12 – up to 40% off the regular price of the tickets. Fans also have the option of adding a family-pack of meals – including hot dogs, soft drinks, and chips for four – for an additional $13. That’s four tickets for just $12, or four tickets and four meals for a total of $25, making Family Night the best entertainment deal in East Texas!
The Jacks will then take on the Brazos Valley Bombers for a two-game set on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 22 and 23. On Tuesday night, Pump Jacks fans can enjoy Two Dollar Tuesdays, when the team will offer discounts on select meals, food, and drinks, discounting each one to just two dollars. And on Wednesday, show your colors for Pump Jacks Pride Wednesdays. Fans that wear their Pump Jacks gear on Wednesday nights will receive half-price grandstand tickets for the game. Wear a shirt, bring your cap, or even make your own gear to prove you’re part of Pump Jacks Nation, and you’ll get in for half price at the gate.
Tickets for the remainder of the Jacks’ inaugural season schedule are on sale now. Fans may purchase tickets at the Pump Jacks office at 1100 Stone Road, Suite 120, in Kilgore, or over the phone at (903) 218-GO ET. Tickets may also be purchased online – and printed at home on any home printer – by visiting www.pumpjacksbaseball.com.
Single-game tickets start at $5 each – or $4 for children and seniors – for grandstand general admission tickets. Upper Box seats are $8 each, and Lower Box seats, which feature in-your-seat wait service, are only $10 per ticket.
