SL Birmingham Barons

Birmingham Burst into the New Season with a Win

April 6, 2023 - Southern League (SL)
Birmingham Barons News Release


Opening Day is like turning the page to a new chapter in every team's history book. The 2023 season has the Birmingham Barons hopeful that they can make the necessary changes to improve upon last year's disappointing result. A 6-2 win against the Tennessee Smokies, on Opening Night, showed that they may have done just that.

In the top of the first left-fielder Luis Mieses gets the Barons in the hits column with a base knock. His night was far from over as he would end the night 4-for-4 with one run batted in.

Heading into the bottom of the first all eyes were on left-handed pitcher Garrett Schoenle, after the team ranked dead last in runs allowed last season. Schoenle, after an efficient three-up-three-down first inning, made an early case that pitching will not be a problem this year.

The Barons did not need too much time to shake off the rust as new Manager Lorenzo Bundy had the boys aggressive early. In the top of the second inning the Barons scored their first run of the game on a wild pitch by Smokies catcher Miguel Amaya, intended to throw down catcher Adam Hackenberg, who scored on the error.

Schoenle continued to display his talents from the bump as he struck out three of his first four batters. Across 4.0 innings pitched the Barons ace looked in mid-season form as he would finish with seven strikeouts, allowing one hit and ending the night with a 0.00 ERA. Even though the lefty did not need much help, Hackenberg from behind the dish threw out two runners trying to steal in the first four innings.

Right-handed pitcher Alex Mateo relieved Schoenle in the top of the fifth, striking out all three he would face. Mateo would end up pitching 2.0 innings with four strikeouts, and only giving up one hit.

The rest of the game was up to the bullpen, with a little aid from the offense.

Adding some insurance to the lead, third baseman Nate Mondou would smash a solo shot to deep right field to bring the Barons up 3-0 in the top of the sixth. Mondou finished with a .500 average from the dish with two walks, along with the Barons first homer of the season.

The momentum started to really brew for the Barons, who were not done yet.

Second baseman Jose Rodriguez showed off why his nickname is "Popeye", Rodriguez would send a ball over the right field wall for the season homer of the season for the Barons. Popeye's shot would put the Barons up 4-0.

With great efforts from left-handed pitcher Gil Luna, who had three strikeouts in is ssole inning pitched, and right-handed pitcher Edgar Navarro. The Barons headed toward the ninth inning with a comfortable lead.

Adding two more runs to the tally, Birmingham headed into the bottom of the ninth with a 6-0 lead.

Right-handed reliever Caleb Freeman would squander two runs in the bottom of the ninth, cracking the door open to a Smokes comeback. However, Freeman, with help from a spectacular running grab from center fielder Duke Ellis, shut the door on Tennessee just before the momentum fully swung towards the opposition.

The Barons started their season 1-0, but more importantly displayed their mental toughness to not let Tennesse back into the game, and enhanced pitching staff that allowed four hits, grouped with 14 strikeouts. Birmingham's offense seemed to pick up where they left off from last season, ending the game with 11 hits.

Even though it is just the first game of a 138 game season, there are signs that something may be brewing in Birmingham.

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Southern League Stories from April 6, 2023


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