Mudcats Overcome Stars, 7-6

Published on August 3, 2011 under Southern League (SL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release

Huntsville, AL --- Neftali Soto blasted two home runs to equal the club record, while Carolina scored twice in the top of the ninth to overcome the Huntsville Stars 7-6 at Joe Davis Stadium on Wednesday night.

Didi Gregorius doubled home Jake Kahaulelio to tie the game in the ninth, then charged home on Quintin Berry's single to center to push the Mudcats (18-21) to a 7-6 victory, representing their second win this season when trailing after eight innings (2-52).

Meanwhile, Soto enjoyed his second two-homer game of the series against the Stars (18-21). Soto hit a solo shot against starter Dan Merklinger in the third, then lasered a three-run shot inside the left field foul pole in the sixth against Merklinger to cut a four-run deficit to one.

Curtis Partch made his first Double-A start of the season, working 4 2/3 innings, permitting seven hits and six runs. Travis Webb replaced Partch in the fifth with the bases loaded to fan Lee Haydel. Chris Mobley (W, 2-4) worked two scoreless innings to earn the victory, with Donnie Joseph (S, 3) registering his first save since May 9th with a perfect ninth inning.

Soto has driven in 10 runs in the four games in the series, and with his 24th homer, tied the all-time Carolina record set in 2004 by current Oakland Athletic Josh Willingham, who also hit 24.

Berry went 3-4 with two RBI.

The final-ever meeting between Carolina and Huntsville is set for Thursday night, with the season-series tied 9-9 and the all-time series favoring Carolina 130-129.

James Avery (5-9, 4.13) matches up against Cody Scarpetta (7-5, 4.12) at 7:43 PM ET.

Southern League Stories from August 3, 2011

• Mudcats Overcome Stars, 7-6 - Carolina Mudcats
• Generals Bounce Back Wednesday With Win To Even Series - Jackson Generals
• Late Inning Rally Wednesday Gives Smokies Fifth Straight Win - Knoxville Smokies
• Barons Succumb to Smokies, 5-4 - Birmingham Barons
• Suns Take Series with 6-2 Victory - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
• Biscuits Struggle in Clutch, Suns Pull Away - Montgomery Biscuits
• RHP Brandon Hynick Placed on DL - Carolina Mudcats
• Smokies Announce Series Of Roster Moves Wednesday - Knoxville Smokies
• Generals Notes Wednesday - Jackson Generals
• MiLB Charities to Donate $20,000 for Tornado Relief - Birmingham Barons
• Aaron Shafer to Mississippi - Mississippi Braves
• Reed and Battisto off Disabled List, Transferred to Jupiter - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
• M-Braves March Over Generals, 6-0 - Mississippi Braves
• Stars Start Early, Burn Mudcats - Carolina Mudcats
• Stars Outshine Mudcats 8-1 - Huntsville Stars

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