Jaxx Take Series Opener, 5-3

Published on July 18, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Huntsville, AL – West Tenn made an early statement in this weekend's four-game series at Joe Davis Stadium. The Diamond Jaxx emphatically announced their inclusion in the Southern League West second-half derby. In a four-horse race, the Jaxx nosed passed Huntsville and Mobile into a tie for first with Friday night's 5-3 win over the Stars. Huntsville (13-12, 53-40) dropped into a tie for third, one-half game out of first.

Already up 2-1, West Tenn punctuated its decisive second-inning rally with three straight two-out, run-scoring hits. Casey Kopitzke led off with single, then pitcher Mike Nannini sacrificed him to second. After Aron Weston struck out, Mike Dzurilla singled to drive in Kopitzke, and Dzurilla took second on the throw to the plate. Brendon Harris's single scored Dzurilla, and Harris advanced on the throw home. Finally, Jason Dubois ripped the first of his two doubles to right-center, plating Harris for a 5-1 Jaxx lead.

Nannini handled the rest, at one point retiring 11 straight hitters and 15 out 16 from the second through the sixth. Nannini (8-5) allowed three runs on six hits while fanning six and walking none over seven solid innings for his eighth win. Stars reliever Ryan Miller (0-5) suffered the loss in a spot start, his first of the season, surrendering five runs, four earned, on nine hits and one walk with three strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. Jason Szuminski tossed a spotless ninth, fanning one for his second save this season.

Huntsville's offense consisted of single runs in the first, second and seventh. J.J. Hardy ripped a run-scoring single to left-center in the first, and Brandon Gemoll launched a Ruthian blast to right-center in the second, his team-high 10th homerun of the season. Daryl Clark added a double to right-center that scored Corey Hart for the Stars' final run.

Hunstville matches all-star lefty Luis Martinez (8-4, 2.39) against West Tenn righty Sergio Mitre (6-7, 3.79) in game two of the series Saturday night. The first 2000 kids age 14 and under receive a free Stars bat courtesy of Skill Lube. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

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Southern League Stories from July 18, 2003


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