Mudcats' Dash Stars Hopes of a Third Straight Win

Published on June 27, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Chris Volstad worked six solid innings and five different hitters knocked in a run in Carolina's 5-2 win over Huntsville Friday night in the fourth of a six-game set at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, NC. The Mudcats evened the series and their second half record at 5-5, while the Stars dipped to 5-5 in the second half and 46-34 overall. The Stars had scored at least seven runs and collected at least 11 hits in each of their prior six games but were held to a season-low three hits by three Mudcats' hurlers.

Matt LaPorta singled with two outs in the fourth to grab the Stars' first hit before Cole Gillespie walked and Grant Psomas could not handle a Chris Errecart ground ball that took a late, bad hop and allowed LaPorta to cross the plate with the game's first run.

Andy Jenkins led off the home half of the inning with a base hit, moved to third base on a Manuel Mayerson double, his fourth of the series, and scored to tie the game on a fly ball by Brett Hayes. With fairly heavy rain falling in a sky converting from dusk to night time, Gillespie and Freddy Parejo could not locate a fly ball hit by Psomas that landed at the edge of the warning track in center field for a triple that chased home Mayerson to give the Mudcats a 2-1 lead. John Raynor then singled in Psomas with two outs to make it 3-1 before getting thrown out by Gillespie trying to stretch it into a double.

Mat Gamel led off the sixth with a triple, his first since April 30, and scored to cut the lead to 3-2 when Angel Salome followed with a single, the last hit for the Stars. Volstad then retired the next three hitters to close his performance, allowing three hits, walking three and striking out two. The number-two rated prospect in the Marlins organization earned his fourth win of the season and first since April 29.

Jarrett Santos retired the side in order in the seventh and eighth innings and has set down all nine hitters he has faced in the series. Raynor singled with one out in the seventh, moved to second base when Cameron Maybin walked and advanced to third base on a double steal before Chris Coghlan was intentionally passed to load the bases. Stars' starter Donovan Hand was then removed in favor of Omar Aguilar, who gave up a scoring fly ball to Alberto Concepcion and a two-out run-scoring hit to Andy Jenkins to complete the scoring. Hand suffered his second loss after allowing five runs on nine hits, walking three and striking out two. Chris Mobley worked a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 12th save of the season and fourth against Huntsville. The series continues on Saturday night with right-hander, and former Mudcat, Nic Ungs taking the hill against Carolina right-hander Brett Sinkbeil. Coverage of the game begins at 5:00 pm central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com and www.730ump.com.

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Southern League Stories from June 27, 2008


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