SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Mudcats Outlast Smokies

Published on June 14, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


Zebulon, NC. - Billy Hall launched a two-run home run to right field as Carolina (41-25) extended Tennessee's season high losing streak to seven games with a 7-5 10 inning win.

Juan Figueroa (4-2) worked his way out of trouble in the ninth, but wasn't as luck in the tenth. Figueroa walked Chris Klute, who was forced out an Drew Niles' fielder's choice, before Hall came to the plate. Hall was hitless until the game winner in the 10th.

Chip Ambres tripled to star the ninth inning against Figueroa, but failed to score. Figueroa issued two intentional walks to load the bases and got pinch hitter Steve Kent to hit into a 1-2-5 double play. Figueroa forced extra innings by getting Josh Wilson to ground out.

Tennessee (34-34) got game tying home runs from John Nelson in the third and Corey Erickson in the seventh, but couldn't get clutch hitting when it needed it most.

Former Smoky Franklyn Gracesqui struck out Erickson and Papo Bolivar with the bases loaded in the eighth inning to preserve the 5-5 tie.

Rick Ankiel started and struck out a season high seven batters and allowed only two hits, but tied a season high with six walks. He threw a season high 100 pitches (49 balls, 51 strikes) over 4 2/3 innings and tossed one wild pitch.

The third game of the series is Sunday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. at Five County Stadium. Nick Stocks (4-3, 4.52) will start for Tennessee opposite Donnie Bridges (4-1, 3.76).

Check out the Knoxville Smokies Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Southern League Stories from June 14, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central