Little Falls, NJ – Sparking defense and solid pitching led the Brockton Rox to a doubleheader sweep of the New Jersey Jackals on Saturday at Yogi Berra Stadium in front of 3,962 fans. In game one, the Rox broke a 1-1 tie with four runs in the top of the seventh inning to come away with a 5-1 win. In game two, Jackals’ outfielder and Fair Lawn native Zack Smithlin broke an 0-for-12 hitless streak as he collected his 500^th career hit, but Brockton prevailed by a score of 8-2.

The first contest began as a pitchers’ duel between New Jersey’s A.J. Wideman and Brockton’s Jeff Long. However, neither starter factored in the decision as Wideman allowed one run on three hits in six frames while Long surrendered a run on five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

The Rox opened the scoring with a run in the top of the fourth inning when shortstop Dominic Ramos singled, stole second, and came home on an RBI single by second baseman Melvin Falu. New Jersey countered in the bottom of the sixth to tie the score at one when Smithlin walked, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Chris Grossman, and scored on a passed ball.

In the top of the seventh, Brockton sent nine batters to the dish as New Jersey reliever Romas Hicks allowed four runs on three hits. A three-run, bases-loaded triple by Grossman accounted for most of the damage, with Falu plating the game’s final run on an infield single to extend the Brockton lead to 5-1. Prior to the outing, Hicks had tossed 4 2/3 innings of scoreless relief this season.

Reliever Brad Hertzler picked up the victory in the first tilt, tossing 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. Hicks was saddled with the loss. Brockton closer Jerry Dunn tossed a perfect seventh in a non-save situation.

In game two, the Rox plated four runs in the top of the first against New Jersey starter Stuart Pomeranz (1-1), who allowed six runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings as he took the loss. A pair of New Jersey errors combined with RBI singles by first baseman Keith Brachold and third baseman Phillip Cuadrado, and an RBI groundout off the bat of left fielder Napoleon Calzado gave Brockton a 4-0 lead before New Jersey came up to bat.

The Jackals, though, countered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first to make it a 4-2 contest as third baseman Myron Leslie plated second baseman Marcus Sanders with a sacrifice fly and Smithlin came around to score on an RBI double by first baseman Juan Tejeda.

That score held until the top of the fifth inning, when Brockton scored four runs against Pomeranz and Jackals’ reliever Seth Overbey. An RBI single by former Jackals Jud Thigpen extended the Brockton lead to 5-2. Later in the inning, designated hitter Palmer Karr drove an Overbey pitch off the scoreboard in left field for his third home run of the season to make it a 7-2 ballgame. Cuadrado capped the scoring when he followed with a triple before scoring on a passed ball.

Brockton righty Craig Anderson (2-0) earned the win, allowing two runs on six hits in five innings.

The Jackals and Rox conclude their four-game series on Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. at Yogi Berra Stadium when New Jersey sends southpaw Dave Qualben (0-1, 2.45 ERA) to the hill against Brockton right-hander Wayne Lundgren (0-1, 4.22 ERA) as the Jackals try to earn a series split. If you can’t make it out to the ballpark, tune in to the live webcast with Cody Chrusciel and Joey Whelan with Jackals Pregame beginning 15 minutes prior to first pitch.

The New Jersey Jackals, proud members of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, play their home games at Yogi Berra Stadium located on the campus of Montclair State University in Little Falls, NJ. 2009 season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 973-746-7434. Visit the Jackals online at www.jackals.com.