FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Media Contact: Jon Versteeg
May 12, 2008 860-309-9293 cell

JACKHAMMERS SHUTOUT FREEDOM 2-0

RF Joey Gomes Shines with Two RBI

JOLIET, IL-Four pitchers combined to hold the Florence Freedom to just one hit and RF Joey Gomes (2-3) drove in both Joliet runs to lead the Jackhammers to a 2-0 win over the Florence Freedom of the Frontier League in the Jammin’ with the JackHammers Open Exhibition/Meet the Team Event at Silver Cross Field on Monday night. The JackHammers improve to 3-1-1 in the pre-season and finish up the 2008 exhibition season on Tuesday morning against the Freedom at Silver Cross Field. The JackHammers 2008 home schedule opens on Friday, May 23 at 7:05 p.m. against the Winnipeg Goldeyes for Harris Bank Opening Night with fireworks to follow the game.

The JackHammers scored the first run of the game thanks to a solo home run by Gomes in the first inning. He pulled a pitch from Freedom starter Cody Castle over the left field wall to give the JackHammers a 1-0 lead.

JackHammers starting pitcher Brian Forystek made his first start of the 2008 exhibition season and logged three innings, struck out four while walking two.

The Freedom got their first hit of the game in the sixth inning off of JackHammers reliever Aaron Trolia. Jeff Landry (1-3) hit a bloop single to right-center field. Trolia pitched four scoreless innings and struck out two hitters.

Gomes added an RBI single in the sixth inning to drive in Steve Garrabrants (1-3), who hit a one-out double against Florence reliever Chris Denton.

Tyler Meigs pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Kevin Altman finished off the Freedom by striking out the side in the ninth inning.

Loose Gravel: The JackHammers made a plethora of roster moves to finalize their roster at the Northern League limit of 22 players. On Sunday the JackHammers traded RHP Mike Collachio and IF Johnny Washington to Florence of the Frontier League for two players to be named later. The JackHammers also traded RHP Nick Renault to Lancaster of the Atlantic League.

Monday saw the JackHammers release RHP Lance Odom and IF Pat O’Sullivan. Joliet also signed LHP Brian Forystek and C Nick McIntyre to 2008 contracts.

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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