Texas Collegiate League

Twice in 2010 Zach Oates has stymied the East Texas Pump Jacks.

Oates lost while throwing a no-hitter at historic Driller Park on June 25 before winning one week later with four innings of no-hit ball in Kilgore.

Monday the Pump Jacks faced Oates in Weimar for the first time, and the bats came out determined not to let him continue his success.

On his 21st birthday, Aaron McCain led the offensive charge with three singles and two RBI, and the Pump Jacks came back from a two-run deficit with a six-run outburst in the top of the sixth inning to defeat the Texas Tomcats, 10-4.

The win moved the Jacks to 3-1 in the second half and one-half game ahead of the North Texas Copperheads, who lost Monday at the McKinney Marshals.

McCain got the scoring started with an RBI single to the right side of the infield in the first inning. Russell LaFleur walked and stole second before scampering to third base on a groundout, and he scored when McCain beat out a grounder under the first baseman’s glove.

The Tomcats struck back with two runs in the bottom of the first off Khris Tate, and they extended the lead to 3-1 with an unearned run in the third frame.

East Texas tied the game in the fourth. Zac Fisher drew a leadoff walk, followed by another McCain single. Abel Gonzales laid a perfect bunt down the third-base line and beat out the throw to load the bases. Michael Haynes blooped a single just over shortstop to score Fisher, and Bryan Peters hit a sacrifice fly to drive in McCain.

The score stayed 3-3 until the Pump Jacks broke out in the sixth inning. Gonzales, Haynes and Peters loaded the bases with two out. Alex Fuselier and LaFleur drew back-to-back walks to score Gonzales and Haynes. Lee Orr hit a grounder that the third baseman threw into right field, allowing Peters and Fuselier to cross the plate. After Orr stole his 14th base of the season, a wild pitch brought in LaFleur. In the process, the catcher threw the ball away and Orr scampered home for a sudden 9-3 lead.

LaFleur, hitting second for the second game in a row, walked and scored a third time in the eighth on McCain’s sacrifice fly.

For the third straight contest, Orr helped his pitchers with an outstanding defensive play. Orr helped cut short a potential ninth-inning rally with a leaping catch while sprinting back toward the right field wall in the bottom of the ninth. It went as a sacrifice fly for the Tomcats’ fourth run, but they were down to their final out.

Tate earned the win with a quality start of six innings and two earned runs. He struck out four and didn’t walk a batter before Andy Steinmetz entered for two scoreless frames. With two K’s from Steinmetz and one from Chase Adams, the Pump Jacks struck out eight against just two walks.

After a day off, the Pump Jacks return to East Texas on Wednesday against the Bombers for the return of Boudain Wednesday presented by Hebert’s Specialty Meats. Fans can enjoy the spice of boudain sausage for just $2 each. The next night is another Thirsty Thursday presented by 96X. Cheer on the Jacks against the North Texas Copperheads while enjoying draft beers for one dollar and regular soft drinks for just 50 cents!

Pump Jacks Nation is now on Facebook! Visit the East Texas Pump Jacks official team page on Facebook to follow all the news and gossip about the Pump Jacks, post your thoughts on the Jacks 2010 season, upload photos, and interact with other fans. Plus, the Jacks will post specials and discounts just for the Facebook community on the page! Click the link on the left side of the Pump Jacks web site or at the top of every news article on the site, and join Pump Jacks Nation on Facebook!

To follow all Pump Jacks news, including player awards, game stories and promotions, log on to the team’s official Website at www.pumpjacksbaseball.com.