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Gemoll Powers Stars past Smokies, 3-1

May 11, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Huntsville, AL – With all the outstanding talent on the Stars roster, Brandon Gemoll had gone unnoticed. Considered to be holding down first base until Milwaukee's top prospect Brad Nelson arrives, Gemoll quietly toiled in the shadow of his high-profile teammates. That is all about to change.

For the second time in three days, Gemoll launched a prodigious homerun that had the press box buzzing. For the fourth time in eight games, Gemoll homered in a Stars win. On Mother's Day at Joe Davis Stadium, Gemoll's blast capped Huntsville's 3-1 victory over Tennessee. The first-place Stars (22-13) are 4 ½ games up in the Southern League West.

During his eight-game power binge, Gemoll is batting .385 with four homers, a double, seven runs batted in and six runs scored. His last two four-baggers have left heads shaking and mouths agape.

Gemoll has hit for average throughout his pro career, using the entire field to post a .286 average over his first two seasons. To reach the big leagues, corner players must hit for power, and Gemoll's four homers in 35 games for Huntsville nearly double his career total. He had six homeruns over 107 games entering this season.

After being shut out Saturday by three Smokies pitchers, the Stars finally scored in the third on Sunday. Darryl Clark singled in his first Southern League at-bat. Two outs later, Ryan Knox, playing with a stiff low back, ripped a double to left-center, scoring Clark. In the sixth, Chris Cosbey led off with a pinch-double and Knox sacrificed him to third. With two down, a wild pitch by Josh Axelson plated Cosbey for a 2-0 Stars lead.

Tennessee got an unearned run in the seventh, but Gemoll quickly answered with his monstrous homerun in the bottom of the frame. The combination of Matt Childers and Mike Adams secured Matt Parker's first win. Parker (1-1) tossed four solid innings of relief, allowing only one hit and one walk while fanning three. Adams notched his fourth save with a scoreless ninth, striking out two. Jeremy Cummings (4-3) suffered the loss, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks over 6 2/3 innings.

Ben Hendrickson made his first start for Huntsville since April 9. His recovery from forearm and elbow soreness is on schedule after throwing 40 pitches over two scoreless innings. Hendrickson permitted two hits and fanned three.

Huntsville sends lefty Luis Martinez (4-1, 0.86) to the mound in game three of the series Monday night at the Joe. The Smokies counter with righty Rhett Parrott (1-3, 4.24). Game time is 7:05 p.m.

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Southern League Stories from May 11, 2003


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