Seventh Inning Sends Stars to Defeat

Published on June 13, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Russell Mitchell tripled in three runs to finish off a six-run seventh inning rally that pushed Jacksonville past Huntsville 9-4 Friday night in the middle of a five-game set at the Baseball Grounds. The Stars dropped to 40-27 and saw their lead over West Tenn in the North Division cut to a half-game, pending the outcome of the Diamond Jaxx' game with Chattanooga at Pringles Park. The Stars have now dropped 11 of their last 13 games in Jacksonville since June, 2006.

Patrick Ryan took over in the seventh for David Welch and gave up a leadoff single to Adam Godwin, who then stole second base. Pinch-hitter Matthew Berezay walked before James Tomlin dropped down a sacrifice bunt attempt past Ryan that was fielded by Mat Gamel, who threw wildly past first base into the stands, allowing Godwin to score the go-ahead run, Berezay to reach third and Tomlin to advance to second. Jamie Hoffman was given an intentional pass to load the bases before Mark Bellhorn and Lucas May singled in runs and Mitchell tripled over the head of Michael Brantley in center field to make it a 9-3 game.

Travis Schlichting tossed two scoreless frames behind the starter James McDonald to earn his first win and was followed to the hill by Zach Hammes, who gave up a leadoff long to Chris Errecart in the eighth to account for the game's final run.

Brantley started the game with a leadoff home run, his fourth of the season, to right field. The Suns answered in their half of the inning with a pair of runs on an RBI hit by Hoffman that plated Tomlin and a Mitchell sacrifice fly that scored Ivan DeJesus, jr. to put the home team ahead for the first time at 2-1.

Matt LaPorta started the second inning with a double off of McDonald, advanced to third base on a Cole Gillespie ground out, stayed there when Errecart struck out and then scored to tie the game on a wild pitch by McDonald with Mike Bell at the plate. The Suns struck again in the bottom of the inning on a leadoff long ball by Juan Gonzalez, his 10th of the season, to regain the lead.

Huntsville got the game tied in the top half of the third when starting pitcher David Welch led off with a single, moved to third base on an Alcides Escobar double and scored on a sacrifice fly by Gamel, who drove in his league-best 62nd run. Gillespie led off the fourth with a single, moved to third on an Errecart double but they could not score after Bell skied out to shallow center, Welch lined out to first, Brantley walked and Escobar was called out on strikes.

Welch went six innings, giving up three runs on four hits, walking two and matching a season-high six strikeouts, while McDonald allowed three runs on seven hits over five frames with two walks and seven strikeouts.

The series continues Saturday night with left-hander Brae Wright taking the hill against Suns' right-hander Mario Alvarez. Coverage of the game begins at 5:50 pm central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com and www.730ump.com.

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



Southern League Stories from June 13, 2008


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