ATLANTIC CITY RALLIES FOR 9-5 GUT-CHECK VICTORY
June 17 Recap

Montclair, N.J. - In a back and forth game, the Atlantic Ciity Surf scored twice in the top of the eighth, and three more times in the ninth to win 9-5 over the New Jersey Jackals in a Can-Am League game Tuesday night at Yogi Berra Stadium.

The Surf, trying to get rid of the bitter taste caused by two tough losses to Brockton over the weekend struck first. In the first inning, patient Surf hitters drew five walks from Jackals starter Aaron Tressler (1-2). Two of those walks plated two Surf runs, SS Anthony Granato and the DH Clyde Williams.

The Jackals responded in the bottom of the second, scoring two runs off of Surf starter Rory Shortell (0-0) on an RBI double by C Craig Maddox, and a run-scoring single by 1B Matt Lauderdale.

In the third inning, LFJoe Burke gave the Surf the lead again, hitting a solo home run to left centerfield. The game was again tied however in the bottom half of the inning.

The game remained tied until the fifth, when Burke was hit by a pitch, and was driven in off a double by Williams. Shortell left with a 4-3 lead after six innings of work, allowing three runs on eight hits and striking out three.

In this back and forth game, the Jackals took the lead for the first time in the bottom of the seventh. Walter Whitley (1-1) came on in relief of Shortell. CF Zack Smithlin led off with a walk and proceeded to steal second and third. The next batter, 2B Marcus Sanders, singled him home to tie the game at four. Four batters later, LF Ramon Nivar singled home the RF Luke Allen, who had singled earlier in the inning to put the Jackals up by one.

The Surf though after blowing three leads in this game, made sure they took the lead for good. In the eighth, Williams led off with a walk and was lifted from the game for pinch runner Billy Kovatch. Two batters later, 1B Eddie Kim drew a walk to put runners on first and second with one out. An RBI double by C William Plaza (above) scored Kovatch before a wild pitch by reliever Justin Barnes (0-1) enabled Kim to score from third as Atlantic City lead 6-5.

In the ninth, the Surf provided three more insurance runs, after five consecutive hits led off the inning, and doubles by Kovatch and the RF Josh Burrus brought in the three runs.

For the Surf, the one through seven hitters each had base hits. Reliever Kyle George earned a two inning save, his first of the season. Whitley earned the win,despite at the time blowing the Surf lead in the seventh. This was only the second win for the Surf in ten chances when trailing after seven innings.

The two teams play the middle game of this series tomorrow at 7:05. Ace Brian Rodaway takes the mound for the Surf. Rodaway is 3-1 with an ERA of 0.55 He will be opposed by Jackals starter Ryan Pacyna.