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Russell comes off the bench with two-out RBI to cap Generals' comeback win

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Victoria Generals pitcher Tyler King pitches against the East Texas Pump Jacks in the top of the third inning Sunday at Riverside Stadium. The Generals won 3-2.
  • Jack Molitor •
  • Originally published July 5, 2009 at 11:30 p.m., updated July 6, 2009 at 11:39 a.m.
  • Generals 3, Pump Jacks 2
    East Texas Pump Jacks (14-8) 010 010 000 2
    Victoria Generals (15-8) 000 100 02X 3
    W: Michael Oros (1-0) L: David Rollins (2-2) SV: Zachary Nuding (3)
    Generals 3, Pump Jacks 2

A lead-off walk, a single that barely fell in, two battery errors and a two-out RBI pinch hit. It was the kind of clutch performance, and luck, the Victoria Generals (15-8) needed to gain the inside edge on the East Texas Pump Jacks (14-8) in the Texas Collegiate League standings.

The Generals got them all in the bottom of the eighth inning of a come-from-behind 3-2 win against the Pump Jacks Sunday at Riverside Stadium.

"First place isn't as much of a concern right now, the important thing is getting wins like this late, especially when you're struggling at the plate. It's huge," said Generals coach Chris Clemons. "We had a guy come in off the bench and pick up a huge hit. That's what it's all about."

After struggling to hit East Texas' starter David Rollins all night, the Generals got a lead-off free pass from Brendan McGaheran to start the eighth, and the next batter Andrew Moore laced a ball to center field that fell just in front of the Pump Jacks center fielder.

With two runners on and no outs, East Texas changed pitchers and looked to Kory Cleveland for the save. But a passed ball and a wild pitch against the next batter tied the game at 2-2 and put the go-ahead run at third with no outs.

Cleveland struck out the next two batters, leaving the decision in the bat of left-handed pinch hitter Andy Russell, who was brought in for first baseman Mike Davis to set up a right-left matchup against Cleveland.

"A couple of innings before, coach was telling all the bench guys to get up and get moving," Russell said. "When they brought in the right hander, I knew I should start getting loose."

Russell stroked a two-strike delivery from Cleveland past the second baseman and into right field, scoring Moore and giving the Generals the one-run lead.

"When you're sitting on the bench all game, you just want to be out there, so it's exciting when you get a chance to come in and deliver like that," Russell said. "It felt great, I just saw a fastball and jumped on it."

Closer Zachary Nuding came on and pitched a perfect ninth to secure the win and vault the Generals back into first place.

One of the constants for the Generals during the season has been starting pitching, and it held up again Sunday. While starter Tyler King did not earn the win, he pitched seven innings and held the Pump Jacks to two runs, one of which scored on a double play.

King said that he didn't feel pressure early in the game when the team was struggling to score, he just saw it as a chance to compete harder.

"I was fortunate to get through a few of those innings, but I made big pitches when I needed to," King said. "I'm not that big into getting the win myself, as long as the team wins."

Clemons echoed the sentiment. He said the important thing the quality starting pitching has been doing is keeping the games close, making late comebacks a possibility if needed.

"Our pitching has been great. Anytime you're throwing up zeros that's great," Clemons said. "It's a lot easier to be coming back from one-run deficits than four or five runs. It takes the pressure off everyone."

The Pump Jacks and Generals have been jockeying for position all season in the standings and have occupied the top two spots for most of the summer. The victory gave the Generals a half-game lead, and the two teams will face off again Monday with an opportunity to gain ground.

"We're not even playing that well as a team right now," Russell said. "That just shows that when we do come together, we'll be tough to beat. These wins are good for tighter games down the road."


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