Double-A Finals Recap: Jackson Generals Are Champs!

Double-A

SOUTHERN LEAGUE

Jackson Generals 11, Mississippi Braves 3

The Jackson Generals left little doubt about their title chances after a four-run first inning Thursday night.  With a 2-0 series lead in the best-of-five, the Generals pounded the Braves pitching to the tune of 11 runs on 12 hits.  The other statistic in this one that was staggering where the 10 walks that Jackson had as a team.  Tyler O’Neill kept his hot hitting going adding three more to give him six in the series for the Generals.  Paul Blackburn started for Jackson and struggled to get outs, but thanks to the aforementioned offense and a bullpen that shut the Braves down, he collected the win.  Brandon Sisk and Matt Anderson gave up just three hits combined while striking out six in their three innings of relief.  On the other side of things, Dustin Peterson capped off a nice all-around season for Mississippi with a 4-for-5 night including a home run.  The Braves threw everything they had at Jackson which included using seven pitchers, but the Generals weren’t to be denied.  Congratulations to the Jackson Generals on a fantastic season.

Top Performers

Generals
Tyler O’Neill – 3 for 6, R, 2B, RBI
Dario Pizzano – 2 for 5, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI
Tyler Marlette – 2 for 4, 2B, 3 RBI
Brandon Sisk – 2.0 IP, H, 0 BB, 4 K

Braves
Dustin Peterson – 4 for 5, R, HR, RBI
Joey Meneses – 2 for 4, 2B, RBI

TEXAS LEAGUE

NW Arkansas Naturals 4, Midland RockHounds 0

With their perverbial backs to the wall, the NW Arkansas Naturals got the hitting and the pitching they needed to continue the Texas League Championship series against Midland.  The Naturals shutout the RockHounds 4-0 on Thursday night, but still trail in the best-of-five series 2-1.  Josh Staumont started the game for the Naturals and was outstanding.  In his 6.1 innings of work, he allowed just four baserunners (three hits and a walk) while striking out eight.  NW Arkansas’ bullpen did the rest setting up a pivotal game four on Friday night.  Alfredo Escalera was the star offensively for the Naturals going 4-for-5 with a double and a triple.  He also drove in three of the four Naturals’ runs.

Top Performers

Naturals
Alfredo Escalera – 4 for 5, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI
Corey Toups – 1 for 3, 3 R, 2B, 2 BB
Josh Staumont – 6.1 IP, 3 H, BB, 8 K

RockHounds
Viosergy Rosa – 2 for 3

Game 4 Pitching Probables
Glenn Sparkman (NWA) vs James Naile (MID)

EASTERN LEAGUE

The Easten League had the night off on Thursday but are back in action on Friday.  The Akron RubberDucks are looking for the sweep against the Trenton Thunder.  It will be a tall task winning on the road for Akron but I am sure they are prepared for the challenge.  Akron is sending Nick Pasquale to the hill and Trenton is sending Justus Sheffield.  Pasquale was 4-7 with an ERA of 4.22 during the regular season, while Sheffield went 1-0 with an ERA of 0.00 in one regular season start for Trenton.