Lookouts Salvage Split with 8-6 Win

Published on May 4, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Huntsville, AL – Against a potent lineup like Chattanooga's, there is little margin for error. In victories the previous two days, the Stars' pitching was outstanding and the defense letter perfect. On Sunday afternoon, Huntsville hiccuped and the Lookouts pounced, scoring eight times with just seven hits in an 8-6 win over the Stars. Chattanooga (10-19) salvaged a split of the four-game series, but Huntsville (17-12) maintained a three-game edge on West Tennessee in the Southern League West Division.

With one on and two outs in the third, the Lookouts' Alejandro Diaz hit a hard chopper to third. Ryan Gripp juggled the ball momentarily, and his throw to first pulled Brandon Gemoll off the bag. The error opened the door for Guye Senjem, who blasted Ben Diggins' 1-0 pitch deep to right for a three-run homer.

After walking none through the first three innings, Diggins lost his command in the fourth, issuing four bases on balls, including three straight with two outs to force in a run. Diaz added a two-out infield single to plate Ray Olmedo for a 5-1 Lookouts lead. Chattanooga tacked on three more with two down in the seventh, when Reed Secrist hit a three-run homer to left off reliever Ryan Miller.

The Stars put together a stirring eighth-inning rally against Chattanooga lefty Paul Darnell. Dave Krynzeled off with a walk, and Richard Paz singled him to third. Gemoll's single scored Krynzel and pushed Paz to second. After Gripp struck out, Crisitian Guerrero hit a bouncer to first, and Dernell Stenson made a wild throw to second. The ball bounced into leftfield, allowing Paz to score and sending Gemoll to third. Joel Alvarado popped out to second, but Chris Barnwell slammed a three-run homer to left, his first of the year, to cut the Lookouts' lead to 8-6.

The combination of relievers Scott Dunn and David Gill secured the win for Chattanooga. Dunn recorded the final out of the eighth, and Gill pitched a perfect ninth for his second save. Bobby Basham (1-3) notched his first win, allowing five hits and one run with one walk and six strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings. Diggins (2-2) took the loss, giving up five runs, two earned, on four hits and four walks while fanning one over four innings.

Huntsville resumes play Tuesday in Chattanooga when lefty Luis Martinez (3-1, 0.75) meets Lookouts lefty John Koronka (2-2, 3.19) in the first of a four-game series. The game can be heard on the Huntsville Stars Radio Network, Jammin' 1550 WLOR and ESPN 1450 WTKI, or on the internet at www. huntsvillestars.com. Air time is 6:00 p.m. CT with the first pitch at 6:15.

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Southern League Stories from May 4, 2003


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