Rice Hits Walk-Off Home Run to Beat Biscuits
Published on June 17, 2018 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
SEVIERVILLE, TN - The Smokies defeated the Biscuits 6-5 on Sunday in the final game of the first half of the season. Ian Rice was the hero with his second walk-off home run of the series, a three-run home run to left field.
Matt Swarmer made his third Double-A start of the season on Sunday and after some early troubles, he settled down. Swarmer lasted four innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out four.
Zach Hedges replaced Swarmer in the fifth for his fourth appearance of the home stand. Hedges had struggled in his previous two outings, but that was not the case on Sunday. Hedges pitched three innings, allowing no runs on one hit.
Tennessee had its first scoring chance in the bottom of the fifth inning. Eddy Martinez singled and Trey Martin walked to put runners on first and second with one out. Tennessee couldn't cash in though, as a groundout and fly out ended the inning.
Finally, in the bottom of the seventh, Tennessee broke through. Martinez walked to start the inning, his third time on base in the game, and Jesse Hodges delivered as the next batter with a two-run shot over the centerfield fence to tie the game at two. It was Hodges third home run of the season.
Jake Stinnett replaced Hedges in the eighth in a tie game and could not hold the lead. Stinnett gave up three runs in his inning of work.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Smokies tried to rally as Trent Giambrone hit his ninth home run of the season to make it 5-3. James Norwood pitched a scoreless ninth inning to give the Smokies a chance.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Smokies put the tying runs on after Charcer Burks and Jason Vosler singled. With two outs and two strikes, Rice delivered with his fourth home run of the season to give the Smokies the win.
The Smokies will be back in action next Thursday, June 21, as they begin a series in Mobile. On Tuesday, four Smokies, Jason Vosler, Craig Brooks, Jeffrey Baez and Thomas Hatch, will represent the team at the Southern League All Star game in Birmingham.
Written by Rob Harvey, Broadcast Assistant for the Tennessee Smokies
The full schedule for this season and information regarding single-game tickets, season tickets, and mini plans can be found online at smokiesbaseball.com, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at 865-286-2300.
Southern League Stories from June 17, 2018
- M-Braves Close First Half with 2-1 Win at Biloxi - Mississippi Braves
- M-Braves Hand Shuckers 2-1 Loss to End First Half - Biloxi Shuckers
- Smokies Walk-Off Biscuits for Second Time, 6-5 - Montgomery Biscuits
- Generals Win on Shrimp's Everybody Gets Lucky Day, 7-0 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Pensacola Native Wass Slugs Mobile to Win over Wahoos - Mobile BayBears
- Franchise Welcomes Two Millionth Fan - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Atkinson Pitches Generals Past Jacksonville, 7-0 - Jackson Generals
- Barons, Lookouts Cancelled Sunday - Birmingham Barons
- Rice Hits Walk-Off Home Run to Beat Biscuits - Knoxville Smokies
- Daniel Lockhart and Tyler Neslony Added to South Division All-Star Roster - Mississippi Braves
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