FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Media Contact: Jon Versteeg
May 8, 2008 815-774-2881

JACKHAMMERS SPLIT EXHIBITION OPENER

Battle to a 3-3 in Game One; Win 7-3 in Game Two

ROCKFORD, IL-The Joliet JackHammers opened the 2008 exhibition season by getting plenty of work in for all of their regulars. Joliet used ten pitchers between two games and saw a three-run home run from newcomer Dorian Rojas to earn a doubleheader split. Joliet continues its exhibition schedule Friday afternoon in Crestwood against the Windy City Thunderbolts of the Frontier League.

The RiverHawks scored the first runs of the exhibition season in the third inning against Joliet starter Aaron Trolia. With one out Trolia hit Rockford short stop Jono Brooks (0-2) with a pitch. Brooks then stole second base. Greg Burrows (0-4) followed with a fly out to right field and Joe Anthonsen (1-2) was hit by a pitch. Designated hitter Matt Borman (1-2) pulled a three-run home run overthe right field line to give Rockford a 3-0 lead.

The JackHammers tied the game in the seventh inning thanks to a three-run home run by short stop Dorian Rojas (1-2). Left fielder Doc Brooks (0-3) started the inning with a strikeout. Designated hitter Pat O’Sullivan (0-2) worked a walk and went to second base on an infield single by third baseman Wally Backman, Jr. (1-3) Rojas pulled a pitch from Jayson James over the left field wall to tie the game at 3-3.

The two clubs decided to end the game in a tie after the seven scheduled innings were played.

Trolia pitched three innings for the JackHammers and allowed three runs on two hits while walking zero and striking out five. Mike Collachio, Kevin Altman, Tyler Meigs and Drew Shetrone each pitched one scoreless inning.

Game two saw the JackHammers push across three runs in the second inning to start the scoring. Left fielder Doc Brooks (1-1) worked a one-out walk, went to second base on a wild pitch and stole third base. Pat O’Sullivan (0-2) and Patrick Arlis (2-2) walked to load the bases. Eric Scriven (1-3) reached first base on a fielder’s choice and Brooks crossed home plate to give the JackHammers a 1-0 lead.

Cory Harris (1-3) followed with a two-run single to increase the ‘Hammers lead to 3-0.

Rockford scored three runs in the second inning against JackHammers starting pitcher David Moraga to tie the game at 3-3. Former JackHammer Matt Mazurek (1-3) led off the inning with a single and went to second base on a walk by Shelton Cisson (0-2). Steve Pickerell (1-3) hit an RBI double to score Mazurek and get within two runs at 3-1.

Charles Bolden (1-2) hit a two-run single to tie the game at 3-3.

Joliet took the lead for good in the sixth inning. Arlis started the inning with a walk and went to second base when Johnny Washington (0-3) reached on an error. Steve Garrabrants (1-2) pinch-hit for Harris and hit an RBI single to score Arlis and give the JackHammers a 4-3 lead.

Joe Hooft (0-4) reached base on an error which scored Washington and gave the JackHammers a 5-3 lead.

The JackHammers later pushed across another run when Freddy Thon (0-1) was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to make the score 6-3. The JackHammers added an insurance run in the seventh inning.

Moraga allowed three runs over three innings pitched. Dustin Taylor, Lance Odom, Sean O’Leary and Mark Alexander all pitched one inning.

The JackHammers continue their exhibition season on Friday afternoon at Windy City. Mike Schellinger (6-4, 3.62 in 2007 Quad Cities, Cardinals A) is scheduled to start for the JackHammers.

The JackHammers currently have full season seats, mini-plan packages, group outings and individual tickets on sale. To invest in tickets, or for more information, please contact the JackHammers Ticket Department TODAY at 815.726.2255 (BALL), stop by the Silver Cross Field Box Office during normal business hours or visit the JackHammers website at www.jackhammerbaseball.com.

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