Shelley Steers Stars Past Bears, 3-1

Published on August 17, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Mobile, AL – The "Horse" is living up to his nickname. Right-hander Jason Shelley came to the Stars with a reputation for pitching deep into ballgames. He only enhanced that perception with another outstanding performance, three-hitting Mobile over eight strong innings in Huntsville's 3-1 win over the Bay Bears on Saturday night at Hank Aaron Stadium. The Stars (31-24) won their fourth straight to remain one-half game ahead of Birmingham in the Southern League West second-half race.

Shelley continued to impress in his sixth start since Milwaukee purchased his contract from Rockford in the independent Frontier League. Shelley fanned nine, one off his season-high, and carried a no-hitter into the sixth. Freddie Guzman broke up the no-no and shutout with a sixth-inning leadoff homer. Shelley threw 117 pitches while permitting three hits, three walks and two hit batters over eight frames, his longest outing of the year. Shelley (3-0) won his third straight decision and Huntsville improved to 5-1 when he pitches.

Huntsville took a 1-0 lead in the second, when Noochie Varner led off with a single and raced to third on Chris Barnwell's hit-and-run single to right. After Mike Kremblas struck out, Shelley lifted a sacrifice fly deep to left-center to drive in his first Southern League run.

In the fourth, Varner led off with another single and Barnwell's ground ball forced him out at second. Kremblas singled to right, advancing Barnwell to second. Bears starter Chris Oxspring picked off Barnwell as he broke for third, but J.J. Furmaniak's relay to third eluded Bobby Scales, who appeared to be screened by the runner. Barnwell chugged home as the ball bounced toward the dugout for a 2-0 Stars lead. Huntsville picked up an insurance tally in the seventh on Corey Hart's two-out, run-scoring single.

Oxspring (8-5) suffered his fifth loss, permitting two runs, one earned, on five hits and two walks while fanning seven over six innings. Stars closer Mike Adams nailed down his 13th save, striking out one in a perfect ninth.

Huntsville matches lefty Jeff Housman (3-0, 1.14) against Bears right-hander Duncan McAdoo (4-7, 4.53) in game two of the series Sunday night. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Bill Penney Toyota Pre-game show starts at 6:50 p.m. Stars baseball can be heard on Jammin' 1550 WLOR, ESPN 1450 WTKI and at www. huntsvillestars.com.

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Southern League Stories from August 17, 2003


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