Another Dramatic Win for Huntsville

Published on April 16, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Chris Errecart's two-out, two-run bases loaded single in the bottom of the ninth chased home the decisive runs in Huntsville's 4-3 victory over Mississippi Thursday night in the middle of a five-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars have come from behind to win all three games in their last at-bat to improve to 4-4, while the Braves have dropped four in a row to fall to 2-6. All four of the Stars wins this season have come by a run and seven of their eight games have been decided by three runs or less.

Mississippi, which had been blanked on two hits over eight innings, tallied three times in the ninth inning to grab a 3-2 lead. Kala Ka'aihue led off with a double and scored on an Eric Campbell single to cut the Stars' lead to one. Willie Cabrera then sent a line drive off of pitcher Mike McClendon, who picked up the ball and threw to force Campbell at second for the first out of the frame. McClendon was removed from the game for Casey Baron, who gave up two singles to load the bases. Pinch-hitter Concepcion Rodriguez popped out before Gorkys Hernandez doubled in a pair to give the visitors their first lead. Jose Camarena was thrown out at the plate trying to score from first base for the third out.

Rafael Cruz, who gave up the tying home run in the ninth inning on Tuesday, opened the home ninth on the hill for Mississippi and gave up a one-out single to Adam Stern that extended his hitting streak to eight games and walked pinch-hitter Kevin Melillo before Jonathan Lucroy bounced into a force out at second base. Vinny Rottino walked to load the bases and Errecart followed by looping a 2-2 pitch into right field to deliver Stern and Lucroy with the tying and winning runs. Shane Justis and Rottino had doubled in runs against Brian Dumensil in the seventh to break up a scoreless game.

Baron grabbed his second win of the series, as he and McClendon have all four of the Huntsville wins to this point in the season. Mark Holliman tossed six scoreless innings in the Stars' longest start of the season, allowing two hits, walking two and fanning four. Robert Hinton worked two scoreless before turning things over to McClendon in a save situation. Braves' starter Scott Diamond worked five shutout innings, yielding three hits, walking four and fanning five.

The series continues on Friday morning with left-hander Bobby Bramhall taking the hill for Huntsville against Braves' right-hander and Gadsden, AL native Kyle Cofield. Coverage of the game begins at 10:15 am central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

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Southern League Stories from April 16, 2009


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