WPCNR PRESS BOX. Special to WPCNR From Jen Carlo. June 10, 2004 (Edited): The New York New Jersey Juggernaut fell into a first place with the Texas Thunder in Houston Wednesday night as Peaches James tamed the potent Naut lineup. The Texas Thunder dominated Cougar Field this evening over the New York/New Jersey Juggernaut with a convincing 5-2 win.
The action got started in the bottom of the second inning with a solo blast from first baseman and Alabama alumnae Ginger Jones (2-2, HR, 2R, BB, RBI). Shortly following, former Texas Aggie, Selena Collins (1-2, HR, BB) kept the rally going with the team’s second solo blast of the inning.
In the bottom of the third inning the Thunder busted it open. Ryan Realmuto (0-2, BB) got the inning started with a leadoff walk. Jones followed the walk with a double, scoring Realmuto to make the score 3-0. Clare Burnum (1-3, HR, BB) capped off the Thunder scoring for both the inning and the game with a two-run blast that scored pinch runner Laura Leonetti.
The Juggernaut fought back in the fourth scoring their only two runs of the game. Gina Oaks (1-2, R) lead off with a walk and later came around to score on an RBI single by Venus Taylor (1-3, RBI). With two outs in the inning Carri Leto (2-4, RBI) singled to score Taylor for the final run of the inning.
Peaches James (Nebraska) got the start on the mound for the Thunder and continued her early-season dominance. James allowed just two runs on six hits over seven innings pitched. James also struck out 10 hitters increasing her league-leading total to 30. James also now leads the NPF with a 3-0 record. Oaks took the loss for the Juggernaut, dropping her to 2-1 on the season. Amanda Scott (2-1) who pitched in relief for Oaks, had four strikeouts for the Nauts in three scoreless innings.
With the loss, the Nauts drop to 5-2 on the season. Game two of the three game series will be played tomorrow night at 7:35 CDT, as the Nauts and the Thunder battle it out for first place.
Tickets for the Juggernaut home stand beginning on June 13th are still on sale by calling the office 973.872.8013 or emailing info@nynjjuggernaut.com. The Nauts take on the California Sunbirds on Sunday, June 13th at 7:35 p.m. on the YES Network.
Score by Innings HRE
Juggernaut 000 200 0 261
Thunder 023 000 x 570
