SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Pitcher Ohlendorf hits grand slam home run to win game

Published on May 26, 2006 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


SEVIERVILLE, Tenn.- Smokies starting pitcher Micah Owings was renowned in both high school and college for both his hitting and pitching prowess but teammate Ross Ohlendorf is quickly making it known that Owings isn't the only Smokies pitcher that can wield a big bat.

Ohlendorf ripped a two-out, bases loaded offering from Chattanooga starter Phil Dumatrait into the right field berm to give the Smokies a 4-2 lead that they would not relinquish. It was the second time in the game that Ohlendorf had come to the plate with the sacks full of base runners and the Texas native waited on Dumatriat's first-pitch fastball and buried it into the night sky.

Ohlendorf, the Southern League "Pitcher of the Week" last week, also pitched a gem of the game; the 23-year old threw seven innings and allowed just two runs on six hits to notch his second win of the 2006 season. He also struck out five batters against a lone walk and lowered his ERA to 2.92 while helping to improve the Smokies to 22-27 on the season.

Ohlendorf's only blemishes came in the second and third innings when he allowed an RBI single to outfielder Rick Asadorian and a solo home run to Lookouts' first baseman Joey Votto to give Chattanooga an early 2-0 advantage.

The fourth inning began with Dumatrait issued a lead-off walk to first baseman Jamie D'Antona and third baseman Agustin Murillo followed with a single to left field. After the Lookouts starter got outfielder Steve Garrabrants to strike out swinging, fellow outfielder Phil Avlas bunted to put base runners on second and third. Dumartrait then decided to intentionally walk shortstop Alberto Gonzalez to set Ohlendorf up for the game winning theatrics.

The Smokies and Lookouts close out their series on Saturday night with a 7:15 p.m. start time at Smokies Park. New arrival Matt Chico will take the mound for Tennessee against the Lookouts' Travis Chick.

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Southern League Stories from May 26, 2006


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