Epps gives JetHawks series edge

LANCASTER, CA - Chris Epps fell a single shy of the cycle, hitting the go-ahead triple along with a double and home run to help the JetHawks to a 10-5 victory over the High Desert Mavericks in Game 3 of the South Division Finals. The win puts Lancaster up 2-1 in the series, a win away from the Cal League Championship Series.

The Mavericks jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning against Tyson Perez (1-1). James Jones walked, went to third on a single and scored on a Steven Proscia sac fly. With one out, Mickey Wiswall singled to right field and manager Pedro Grifol sent Jack Marder, who started at second base, to the plate. Domingo Santana fired home to get Marder and catcher Carlos Perez threw to second to get Wiswall who had tried to advance on the throw.

With the JetHawks down 2-0 in the third inning, Telvin Nash hit a home run off Taylor Stanton to get on the board.

Erik Castro reached on an error to start the fifth inning and Jonathan Meyer followed with a single to advance him to third. After a Nash strike out, Epps hit a towering fly ball to right-centerfield. Julio Morban couldn't hold on to the ball as he crashed into the wall and both runners scored on a triple for Epps to put the JetHawks ahead, 3-2.

Carlos Perez followed with a double down the leftfield line to score Epps and Delino DeShields Jr. doubled to the same spot to drive in Perez and put the JetHawks up, 5-2. Taylor Stanton (0-1) was replaced after allowing five runs - four earned - in 4 1/3 innings with two strikeouts and no walks.

Perez tossed six innings allowing two runs on eight hits with four strikeouts and one walk. He left with a 5-2 lead.

Chia-Jen Lo came into the game and the first three batters he faced picked up hits to score two runs. Jones tripled in a run and Marder drove him home. Marder picked up four hits for the second straight game.

Lancaster was able to break the game open in the bottom of the seventh. Epps started the rally with a double and Castro ended it with a bases loaded double to score three runs and put the JetHawks up 9-4.

Epps hit a solo homer in the eighth to make it a 10-4 game.

Kenny Long allowed one run in the ninth inning on a two-out Proscia double. Long tossed 2 2/3 innings for the save. Proscia drove in three runs and now has eight RBIs in the series.

The JetHawks take on the Mavericks in Game 4 on Tuesday night at The Hangar at 7:00 pm. Nick Tropeano will start against Brett Shankin.

Tickets to all potential home playoff games are on sale now. For more information please contact the JetHawks box office at (661) 726-5400.