FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Media Contact: Jon Versteeg
July 4, 2007 815-774-2881

CRACKER-CATS USE THE BIG INNING TO BEAT JOLIET 5-2

JOLIET, IL-The Edmonton Cracker-Cats (18-26) scored five runs in the third inning led by a grand slam by Rhett Teller (1-4) to earn a 5-2 win over the Joliet JackHammers (19-25) before 4,012 fans at Silver Cross Field on the 4^th of July.

The JackHammers got on the board in the second inning by scoring two runs against Edmonton starting pitcher Scott Richmond (7-3). Juan Diaz (2-3) led off the inning with a walk and went to third base when Chad Ehrnsberger (1-2) hit a double. Tim Hutting (1-4) followed with a single to score Diaz and make it 1-0 Joliet.

Dennis Blackmon (1-4) reached base on a fielder’s choice and Ehrnsberger scored to give the JackHammers a 2-0 lead.

Edmonton scored five runs in the third inning against JackHammers right-hander Brian Forystek (0-1) to get the victory. Tim Ryan (2-4) led off the inning with a single and went to second base on a single by George Sandell (2-4). Terence McClain’s (2-4) RBI single scored Ryan and got the Cracker-Cats within one run at 2-1.

Ryan Radmanovich (0-4) reached base on an error by JackHammers short stop Tim Hutting to load the bases.

Teller followed with a grand slam home run to give the Cracker-Cats a 5-2 lead in a game they won by the same margin.

Forystek suffered the loss for Joliet by pitching six and one-thirds innings and allowing five runs, (four earned runs), on six hits.

Loose Gravel: Diaz went 2-3 with two singles to extend his hitting streak to nine games.

The JackHammers and Cracker-Cats continue their three-game series on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on AM 1340 WJOL and online at www.jackhammerbaseball.com. Mike Johnson (0-2, 4.74) gets the ball for Edmonton against Nate Sevier (5-1, 3.53) for Joliet.

The JackHammers will host African Heritage Night Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. It’s also American Family Insurance Negro League Tribute Night. The JackHammers will host former Negro League Players in an autograph session before the game. The JackHammers and Cracker-Cats will play the game in retro Negro League uniforms.

The JackHammers are currently home through Sunday, July 8^th! For tickets or for more information, please give the JackHammers a call at (815) 726-BALL (2255), go online to www.jackhammerbaseball.com or stop by the Box Office at Silver Cross Field during normal business hours.

###