In Game Two of a three game series, the New Jersey Jackals defeated the Tri-City ValleyCats, 7-4, powered by a four run fourth inning catapult.
Despite steady rain throughout the day in Paterson, conditions improved enough for the game to begin on time at 6:35 p.m., with both teams taking the field as scheduled.
Billy Duby got the start for New Jersey and settled in quickly, recording a strikeout of Tri-City second baseman Parker Coddou to open his outing. Moments later, catcher Gustavo Sosa threw out designated hitter David Glancy attempting to steal second, giving the Jackals early momentum after a 7-1 loss in the opener.
New Jersey threatened in the first inning against ValleyCats starter Wes Albert. Isaac Bellomy led off with a single, and Connor Maryniak was hit by a pitch. Both runners advanced on a passed ball by catcher Ranko Stevanovic, but Albert escaped the jam with a strikeout and a lineout double play.
Tri-City put pressure on Duby in the second, drawing a walk and working deep counts, but a sliding stop by second baseman Daunte Stuart helped limit the damage and keep the game scoreless.
“I mean, I love defense, but I wouldn’t say it necessarily came all the way naturally,” Stuart said. “I put in a lot of time and work, a lot of effort with my coaches, taking advice from some of my teammates.”
The Jackals broke through in the third inning. With two outs, Maryniak doubled to left field and Martin Figueroa followed with a walk. Felix Stevens then drove a pitch to deep right field, breaking his bat on contact, but plating both runners for a 2-0 lead.
Stuart followed with a home run to center field on a pitch left over the middle, extending the lead to 4-0 and energizing the home crowd.
“You know, I was just happy, man,” Stuart said. “I can hit a home run, I brought in two runs for my team. Bobby [Jones] talked about putting yourself aside and just trying to produce for the team, so it was a good feeling. I had some family in the crowd, so it was fun.”
New Jersey added another run in the fourth. Dariel Gomez walked, stole second and advanced to third on an error. Jakobi Davis brought him home with a groundout, pushing the lead to 5-0.
Duby continued to control the game through the middle innings. In the sixth, he recorded two quick outs before Martin Figueroa made a sliding catch in left field to end the inning, preserving the shutout.
“I was just trying to attack the zone, throw strikes and make them get themselves out,” Duby said.
Tri-City began to respond in the seventh. After a single and a groundout, Brayden Jobert hit a two run home run to center field, cutting the deficit to 5-2.
Duby exited after allowing a baserunner later in the inning, finishing with 6 1/3 innings pitched, six hits allowed, one strikeout and two walks. Nyan Hernandez entered in relief and quickly made an impact, recovering from a low pitch to Sosa by picking off a runner to end the threat.
The Jackals answered in the bottom half of the seventh. Jakobi Davis drew a walk and Bellomy followed with a single. After both runners advanced, Maryniak delivered a two run double to right field, extending the lead to 7-2.
Tri-City added late pressure in the ninth inning against reliever Malik Binns. Coddou reached base, and Ian Walters followed with a two run home run to center field, his second homer in as many games, cutting the lead to 7-4.
Binns settled in to close out the game, recording a groundout and back to back strikeouts to secure New Jersey’s first win of the season.
“Yeah, we’re in very good spirits,” Duby said. “We’re happy to bounce back today. It was a huge team win on all sides of the baseball. After yesterday, we didn’t sweat it too much. Today was a new day, we wanted to attack and show what we’re made of.”
Bellomy and Maryniak each recorded two hits to lead the Jackals offense, which produced timely hitting
throughout the game.
Albert took the loss for Tri-City, allowing five runs on five hits over four innings, while striking out four and walking four.
Walters finished with two hits and two RBIs for the ValleyCats, while Dylan Broderick also contributed a pair of hits.
With the win, the Jackals improved to 1-1 on the season and will look to take the series finale Sunday at Hinchliffe Stadium.
Following the series, New Jersey is set to host the Brockton Rox for a three game series beginning May 12.
The victory marked an early step forward for a Jackals team looking to compete in a highly competitive Frontier League and build momentum as the season progresses.
