FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Media Contact: Jon Versteeg
July 10, 2007 815-774-2881

FIVE JACKHAMMERS SHINE IN NORTHERN LEAGUE ALL-STAR GAME

Diaz Steals the Show by Winning the Northern League Home Run Derby Before the Game

FARGO, ND – Five Joliet JackHammers appeared in the 2007 Northern League All-Star game for the South Division All-Stars, who defeated the North Division All-Stars 7-5 at Newman Outdoor Field on Tuesday night. Designated hitter Juan Diaz, catcher Dennis Blackmon, pitchers Nick Renault, Nate Sevier and Derrick Ellison all played for Gary SouthShore RailCats manager Greg Tagert, who managed the South Division All-Star team.

Renault pitched the second inning for the South Division. He walked Calgary’s Jason Colson and Kyle Nichols before striking out Fargo-Moorhead outfielder Richard Austin and Calgary second baseman Antoin Gray. Renault also allowed a double to Fargo-Moorhead catcher Adam Shorsher and induced a fly-out by Fargo-Moorhead’s Kory Wayment to end the inning.

Sevier pitched a scoreless fifth inning and faced only three batters. He got Wayment and Winnipeg’s Fehlandt Lentini to fly out and struck out Edmonton’s Terrence McClain to end the inning.

In the sixth inning, Ellison and Blackmon entered the game for the South Division All-Stars. Ellison struck out the first two batters he faced (Calgary’s Carlos Duncan and Fargo-Moorhead’s Darryl Lawhorn). He walked Nichols and struck out Austin to end the inning. Blackmon caught the remainder of the game for the South Division.

Offensively, Blackmon (0-1) reached first base on an error in the eighth inning. Diaz was 0-4 in the game.

Before the All-Star game, Diaz won the 2007 Home Run Derby. Diaz hit six home runs in the first round and beat out Fargo-Moorhead’s Austin in the final round with a homerun into right-center field.

Loose Gravel: The 2007 Northern League All-Star Game featured the most JackHammers used in an All-Star game. In 2006 four JackHammer players-John Lackaff, Amad Stephens, Chad Ernsberger, and Luis Villarreal were named All-Stars. Five JackHammers appeared in the 2007 game. JackHammers 1B/3B Derek Nicholson was voted a starter but did not appear in the game due to an injury.

The JackHammers return to action for a four-game home stand after the All-Star break on Thursday, July 12. The ‘Hammers will face the Gary SouthShore RailCats at Silver Cross Field. Pre-game coverage begins at 10:50 a.m. on 1340 WJOL and online at www.jackhammerbaseball.com with the first pitch scheduled for 11:05 a.m.

After the game, the JackHammers will host the Racin’ the Bases Celebrity Softball Game at Silver Cross Field. The celebrity softball game will start at 6:15 p.m. The following drivers are confirmed to be in attendance:

Kasey Kahne, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series drivers Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge); Kyle Busch (No. 5 CARQUEST/Kellogg's Chevrolet); Brian Vickers (No. 83 Red Bull Toyota); Tony Raines (No. 96 DLP HDTV Chevrolet); J.J. Yeley (No. 18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet); Regan Smith (No. 4 Waste Management Chevrolet) and Kevin Conway (No. 18 Z-Line Design Chevrolet).

For tickets to a JackHammers game, call 815-726-BALL (2255), order on-line at jackhammerbaseball.com, or visit the Silver Cross Field ticket box office during normal business hours.

###