SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Higgins Hits for Cycle in Loss to Pensacola

Published on September 1, 2018 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


SEVIERVILLE, TENNESSEE - Tennessee fell to Pensacola by a score of 10-6 on Saturday night. Thomas Hatch got the start for the Smokies and pitched 5.2 innings, allowing four runs on five hits. He also struck out 10.

Down 3-0, Tennessee made a comeback in the bottom of the second. Wynton Bernard and P.J. Higgins both reached base to start the inning and moved to second and third on a sacrifice bunt. Jesse Hodges was the next batter and he knocked in Bernard to make it a 3-1 game. The Smokies made it a one-run game in the bottom of the fourth when Higgins hit his first home run over the fence in center field.

After the Blue Wahoos made it a two-run game again in the top of the fifth, the Smokies answered back in the bottom half of the inning. Connor Myers singled with one out in the inning and Hatch doubled him home to make it 4-3. It was Hatch's first double of the season.

Pensacola would score two in the top of the eight to extend its lead to 6-3. Tennessee wouldn't stay down for long, striking for three runs of its own to tie the game at six-all.

A two-run triple from Higgins cut the deficit to 6-5, before scoring on a fielder's choice from Jesse Hodges to tie the game. The game was Higgins' best-to-date as he hit for the cycle, finishing four-for-four at the plate with three RBIs. Higgins' performance marks the first cycle for the Smokies since 2005.

It would prove to be all Tennessee could muster at the plate. Pensacola scored four in the top of the 10th inning to close out the game.

The Smokies and Blue Wahoos will be back for game four of the series on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Michael Rucker is the projected starter for Tennessee as he has his last opportunity of the season to reach double digit wins. The Blue Wahoos will counter with Daniel Wright.

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Southern League Stories from September 1, 2018


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