At times, we're all reminded at how much of a force Mother Nature can be. This was especially true as the New Jersey Jackals welcomed the Tri-City ValleyCats for what was supposed to be a four-game series as the 2021 Frontier League season enters it's final month. Due to heavy rain and sever thunderstorms, however, the two teams would only be able to get three games in, with New Jersey losing two to Tri-City.
New Jersey fell behind quickly in the first game of the originally scheduled doubleheader on Aug. 10, as Tri-City went in front 2-0 in the top of the first. Josh Rehwaldt would get the Jackals back in the game fairly quickly though, launching a two-run home run in the bottom of the second. Rehwaldt's third homer of the season tied the game at 2-2. With right fielder Russ Olive out for the season due to injury, Rehwaldt has been the Jackals everyday right fielder as of late.
"I'm trying to do the best to replace him," said Rehwaldt on filling in for Olive. "Obviously I can't cause he was a big part of the lineup so I'm just trying to do my best to help out the team."
Willy Garcia gave the ValleyCats the lead right back in the top of the fifth with a two-run single, as the Jackals fell behind 4-2. In the bottom of the fifth inning, New Jersey would come roaring back, scoring five runs to take the lead right back. Justin Wylie tied the game with an RBI single, finishing the game going 2-for-3 with two RBI. Josh Rehwaldt finished the game going 2-for-3 with two RBI as well. Heavy rain came into the area in the bottom of the sixth, and the game was eventually called with the Jackals being declared the winners by a final of 8-4, snapping a 10-game losing streak at home.
Due to the rain, the doubleheader would be pushed back to the next day on Aug. 11. The game was close early on, with both ball clubs plating two runs to make the score 2-2 heading into the top of the fourth inning. This would be where Tri-City would ultimately put this one away, as Nelson Molina absolutely crushed one to right for a three-run home run. Carson McCusker and Denis Phipps would follow Molina up with back to back solo home runs as the ValleyCats took a 7-2 lead. The Jackals would try to rally in the bottom of the seventh, but to no avail as New Jersey would drop the second game of this series to Try-City 7-3.
Not long after the game ended, heavy thunderstorms once again moved into the Little Falls area, forcing the second game to be pushed back again. The Jackals and ValleyCats would attempt to get the doubleheader in the following day on Aug. 12 before once again, heavy rainstorms would get in the way. Because of this, they would only be able to play one game, with the second game rescheduled to a later date.
"You've just got to try and stay locked in as much as you can," said Rehwaldt on playing the series despite the inclement conditions. "You can't really let the weather affect how you perform or your focus during the day."
This game would be all ValleyCats from the first inning, as Tri-City scored eight runs in the first inning alone. Zach Biermann, Oscar Campos, and Denis Phipps all launched two-run home runs in the inning. Jackals starter Dylan Brammer only managed to get two outs in the game before manager Brooks Carey went to the bullpen. Since being moved from the closers role into the starting rotation on July 23, Brammer has allowed 15 earned runs in 11 2/3 innings.
Tri-City wouldn't let up from there, as they tacked on seven more runs during this seven-inning contest. Phillips finished the game going 4-for-5 with three RBI. Camos had a strong night as well, going 3-for-4 with four RBI. The ValleyCats would go on to rout the Jackals by a final of 15-3.
Jackals Hit The Road
The New Jersey Jackals currently stand with a record of 29-37, third in the Northeast Division and 7.5 games out of first. They'll go on the road to begin a three-game series against the New York Boulders on Aug. 13, then head across the border to Canada for three games against Équipe Québec starting Aug. 17 before returning home for three games against the Florence Y'alls on Aug. 20.
