Texas Collegiate League

The Jacks bats struck late, posting a five-run eighth inning to comeback over the Coppell Copperheads 8-4.

In their first visit to historic Driller Park, the Coppell Copperheads quickly learned how things operate in East Texas.

The Jacks showed the Copperheads what they have shown the rest of the Texas Collegiate League this season: dominant pitching, solid defense and timely hitting.

Trailing 4-3 going into the bottom of the eighth, the Jacks bats showed up and posted five runs to rally past the Copperheads 8-4 and pick up the two-game sweep Saturday night.

Nathan Pittman has been crushing the ball for the Jacks all season long but tough-luck has kept him off the bases. Saturday, however, Pittman knocked in three runs for the Jacks with a double and a sacrifice fly, while scoring a run of his own.

Hunter Dozier continued to deliver for the Jacks, going 2-for-4 with pair of runs scored. Dozier fell three-feet short of his first home run on a deep double off the left field wall. He hit another ball to left that sent Copperhead leftfielder Tanner Kalina crashing into the wall, robbing Dozier of another extra-base hit.

Scott Kalush continues to show that he thrives under pressure. Kalush roped a single over the shortstop to tie the game in the eighth. Making his return to the Jacks lineup, Ty Marlow went 2-for-4 at the plate. Jake Pinchback and Seth Granger each added RBI singles to round out the Jacks scoring attack.

Matt Munson took the hill in his fifth start of the season. He tossed 6.2 innings and allowed two earned runs on 10 hits, the most of his season so far. In 36.2 innings this season, Munson’s ERA sits at an impressive 1.23.

Jaron Long came on in relief of Munson in the seventh inning and picked up his first win of the season. He allowed only one hit and stuck out one in his relief appearance.

Coming in a non-save situation, Jason Jester sat down the Copperheads in order in the ninth, striking out the final batter he faced on three pitches.

The Jacks struck first with Pinchback scoring on a Granger single in the top of the first inning.

Coppell answered quickly with a run in the top of the second, tying the contest at 1-1. However the game wouldn’t stay knotted for long.

Dozier led off the bottom of the second with a double off the left field wall. John Michael Twichell reached on a walk followed by Kalush reaching on an error on an attempted sacrifice bunt. Pittman plated Dozier easily on a deep sac fly to right field. Twichell came around to score on an RBI single from Pinchback, giving the Jacks a 3-1 lead.

The Copperheads posted a run in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, taking their first lead of the night at 4-3.

That lead wouldn’t last for long.

Marlow and Dozier led off the eighth with back-to-back singles. With runners at first and second and the Jacks trailing by one, Kalush roped a ball into left field, scoring Dozier easily from second and tying the contest at four.

Pittman then crushed a ball down the right field line, scoring Ryan Moore and Kalush giving the Jacks the 6-4 lead with only one out in the inning. The Pump Jacks added two more runs with heads-up baserunning and a costly error from the Copperheads, giving the Jacks the 8-4 win.

The Jacks welcome a day off Sunday before returning to historic Driller Park for Dollar Day Monday. Kids will get in for just a dollar while Jacks fans can get hot dogs, soft drinks, popcorn and souvenir programs all for a $1 as the Jacks host the Alexandria Aces for a two-game set.

Tuesday night is Family Night presented by the Longview News-Journal. Jacks fans can bring the whole family out for a night of fun and baseball, all for an affordable price. A group of four tickets are only $10 with the option to add four meals for another $15.

To follow all the news and to watch every pitch of the 2011 season, visit the Pump Jacks official web site at www.pumpjacksbaseball.com. Interact with other Pump Jacks fans and enjoy special promotions and polls by visiting the Pump Jacks on Facebook and Twitter.