Jaxx Trip Stars in 11, 4-1

Published on May 26, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Huntsville, AL – If opportunity cost showed up on the baseball ledger, the Stars and Diamond Jaxx would be broke. After battling through 11 tense, frustrating frames, West Tenn (23-36) avoided a four-game sweep, tripping Huntsville, 4-1, on Memorial Day at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars (26-21) lead second-place Birmingham by one game in the Southern League West, pending the outcome of the Barons' Monday night match-up with Mobile.

Until the 11th, the story was runners left on base. For the game, the Jaxx stranded 16, Huntsville 10. Stars right-hander Mike Jones scattered nine hits and three walks, befuddling the Jaxx over six solid innings. West Tenn left 11 on base against Jones, though none reached scoring position with less than two outs. The only tally against Jones was Nick Ortiz's leadoff homer in the second. The Jaxx carried a 1-0 lead into the sixth.

Huntsville put two on with none out in the fifth, but could not advance the runners against Jaxx starter John Webb. In the sixth, Huntsville produced a run with two outs to tie the game. Corey Hart ripped a single back through the box, knocking Webb to the seat of his pants. Brandon Gemoll then sent a drive deep to right-center, just missing a go-ahead homer. The ball slammed off the wall, and Gemoll legged out a run-scoring triple for a 1-1 tie.

The Stars could not cash in an excellent scoring chance in the eighth, when they had runners at first and second with two outs. Gemoll fanned on a 3-2 pitch from reliever Felix Sanchez to end the threat. In the 10th, Dave Krynzel walked with one out, but the league's top base stealer was thrown out at second to finish the inning with red-hot Corey Hart at the plate.

Finally in the 11th, West Tenn reached Stars reliever Brian Adams for the second time in three games. Trailing 12-2 on Saturday, the Jaxx scored seven runs, five earned, against Adams in two-thirds of an inning. Monday, the Jaxx loaded the bases with none out on singles by Jon Hamilton and Brendon Harris and John Powers' walk. Jason Dubois, West Tenn's top hitter and run producer, sent a sharp ground ball toward third. The ball bounced over the bag and down the line for a bases-clearing double. Huntsville argued the ball was foul to no avail.

David Cash pitched a scoreless 11th for his second save, retiring Chris Barnwell with two men on base to end the game. Jon Leicester (3-2) picked up his third win, walking one and fanning one in a scoreless 10th. Adams (0-1) suffered his first loss, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks in two innings.

Huntsville now travels to Birmingham for its first visit of 2003. In the first of a four-game series, Stars righty Matt Parker (2-1, 2.27) makes his first start against Barons right-hander Tetsu Yofu (3-1, 2.43). Game time is 7 p.m., with the Bill Penney Toyota Pre-game Show beginning at 6:45 p.m.

Stars baseball can be heard on Jammin' 1550 WLOR, ESPN 1450 WTKI and at www. huntsvillestars.com.

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Southern League Stories from May 26, 2003


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