FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Media Contact: Jon Versteeg
May 15, 2008 860-309-9293

SEVIER SHINES! JACKHAMMERS WIN 3-0 ON OPENING NIGHT!

First Win for New Manager Wally Backman

GARY, IN-The Joliet JackHammers (1-0) won an old-fashioned pitcher’s duel as they pushed across one run in the fifth inning and rode six scoreless innings from RHP Nate Sevier (1-0) to beat the Gary SouthShore RailCats 3-0 before 2,802 fans at U.S. Steel Yard on Opening Night. The JackHammers 2008 home schedule opens on Friday, May 23 at 7:05 p.m. against the Winnipeg Goldeyes for Harris Bank Opening Night at Silver Cross Field with fireworks to follow the game.

Runs and hits were at a premium for the JackHammers and RailCats on Thursday. The two clubs combined for just three hits through the first four innings against Tony Cogan (0-1) and Sevier respectively.

Joliet finally broke through in the fifth inning. CF Cory Harris (1-2) led off the inning with a single and went to third when 1B Freddy Thon (1-4) reached base on an error by Gary 1B Mike Rohde. Thon’s ground ball went through Rohde’s legs and to his left, allowing Harris to move all the way to third base. Nick Prosise (0-4) grounded into a double play and the JackHammers took a 1-0 lead.

Sevier was simply outstanding for the JackHammers. He went six strong innings and gave up just two hits while walking two and striking out three. After Tanner Townsend (1-3) hit a one-out single and Mike Rohde (1-3) reached base on a fielder’s choice, Sevier retired 11 consecutive hitters from the end of the second inning to the one-out mark in the sixth inning when Mike Reese (1-4) hit a single.

Cogan pitched six innings and took the loss by allowing one unearned run on three hits. He walked just one, (an intentional walk), and struck out three.

The JackHammers put across two runs in the ninth inning. Juan Diaz (1-2) led off the inning with a walk and was pinch-run for by Eric Scriven (0-0). Doc Brooks (1-4) hit a single to move Scriven to second base.

Harris executed a perfect sacrifice bunt to move the runners into scoring position at second and third base. Thon pulled a pitch through the right side of the infield into right field for a base hit. Scriven scored and the JackHammers took a 2-0 lead. Brooks moved to third base on the play.

The JackHammers then tried a double steal with Brooks scoring on an errant throw from the RailCats catcher Yuki Matsumoto. Joliet took a 3-0 lead.

Altman pitched two scoreless innings and struck out four men and Drew Shetrone (1) worked a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his first save.

Loose Gravel: The RailCats reached second base only once in the game against JackHammers pitching. Brett Wallace reached base on a one-out fielder’s choice and stole second base against reliever Kevin Altman in the eighth inning

The JackHammers and RailCats continue their season-opening four game series on Friday night. Brian Forystek (1-1, 4.73 New Britain and 4-4, 2.73 Joliet) gets the start against Billy Phillips (8-5, 3.09 for Windy City in 2007) for Gary. The first pitch is at 7:00 p.m. and pre-game coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on AM 1340 WJOL and online at www.jackhammerbaseball.com.

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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