Jax Tip Stars in Ninth, 2-1
August 10, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release
Jackson, TN â For the second time in three days, West Tenn recorded a walk-off win against the Stars. On Friday, the Diamond Jaxx pulled off a dramatic 3-2 victory, and Sunday followed a similar script. The Diamond Jaxx prevailed, 2-1, on Casey Kopitzke's bloop-single in the bottom of the ninth. Huntsville (66-51, 26-23) remains one-half game behind Birmingham in the Southern League West second-half chase.
West Tenn's game-winning rally started with a leadoff walk. Ray Sadler drew a five-pitch walk, and Jackson Melian failed to get a bunt down before forcing out Salder with a ground ball to third. Then Donnie Hood was hit a pitch on a ball that apparently grazed his pant leg. With runners at first and second and one out, Kopitzke stood in against Stars reliever Ryan Miller. Melian took off for third, and Kopitzke lobbed a flare toward shallow right that fell in for a hit, and Melian cruised home with the winning run.
Miller (0-7) suffered his seventh loss, permitting one run on one hit and two walks with no strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings. Jaxx reliever Jason Szuminski (7-3) recorded his seventh win, fanning three over two perfect frames. Jason Shelley delivered his fifth straight quality start since joining Huntsville, going seven innings and allowing just one run on five hits and five walks while fanning four. West Tenn starter Sergio Mitre also threw seven outstanding frames, surrendering one run on six hits with no walks and seven strikeouts.
"Despite the fact he didn't have command of his splitter," Stars pitching coach Stan Kyles said, "Shelley delivered another stellar performance. He was aggressive and made the pitches when he had to.
Trailing 1-0 in the second, Huntsville rallied for its only run of the game. Brandon Gemoll lashed a leadoff triple to right-center, his third of the season. After Noochie Varner lined out to second, Brad Nelson lifted a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Gemoll for a 1-1 tie that lasted until the ninth.
In Monday's series finale, Huntsville matches lefty Jeff Hundley (1-0, 4.50) against Jaxx right-hander Jae-kuk Ryu (1-2, 5.09). Game time is 12:05 p.m. The Bill Penney Toyota Pre-game Show starts at 11:50 p.m. Stars baseball can heard on Jammin' 1550 WLOR, ESPN 1450 WTKI and at www.huntsvillestars.com.
Southern League Stories from August 10, 2003
- BayBears blanked by Smokies - Mobile BayBears
- Smokies Return Favor, Blank BayBears - Knoxville Smokies
- Suns bullpen falters in 7-4 loss - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- G-Braves Get Big Hits, Down Suns - Mississippi Braves
- Jax Tip Stars in Ninth, 2-1 - Huntsville Stars
- Rays - Mudcats Washed Out - Orlando Rays
- Stars Knock off Jaxx, 7-4 - Huntsville Stars
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