SL1 Carolina Mudcats

Smokies Defeat Mudcats

Published on June 21, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release


Sevierville, TN --- The Tennessee Smokies clubbed four home runs in the first half finale to ruin Carolina's chance at a first-half post-season berth, defeating the Mudcats 8-6 at Smokies Park on Sunday night.

The Mudcats (37-32) took the field knowing that they had to win to force a one-game playoff with Huntsville in July to determine the first half champion. Carolina went ahead 2-0 in the second on an RBI-double by Logan Parker, then a single to center by Eric Eymann.

However, Alexander Smit (L, 2-2), who was activated from the disabled list before the game, allowed four runs on two homers in the second to give up the lead. Wellington Castillo, hitting .199 entering the game, swallowed a Smit pitch over the left-centerfield wall for a three-run shot three hitters after Marquez Smith jacked a solo homer to begin the inning.

In the third, Tennessee (32-38) hit a pair of solo homers against reliever Sean Watson, including Smith's second of the game. Russ Canzler hit a blast to left field to lift the Smokies to a 6-2 lead.

Even without Yonder Alonso and Juan Francisco's bats in the lineup due to injuries, Carolina climbed back into the game with three in the fifth inning. Jose Castro swatted a double to left to bring home a run, with Chris Heisey following with a sacrifice fly to chase home Jake Kahaulelio. Todd Frazier then drilled a single to left to score Castro to cut the deficit to 6-5.

However, Tennessee scored a run in the sixth and seventh and carried an 8-5 lead into the ninth with closer Brian Schlitter in the game. Carolina singled on each of Schlitter's first two pitches of the ninth to bring the tying run to the plate. Schlitter fanned Denis Phipps pinch hitting, then retired Sean Henry on a flyball, but Castro delivered a chop single to center to score a run, and bring MVP candidate Heisey to the plate as the go-ahead run. But on a 1-1 pitch, Heisey flew out to Tyler Colvin in left field to end the game and award the first half title in the North to Huntsville.

Carolina begins the second half Monday night at Five County Stadium against the Jacksonville Suns.

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Southern League Stories from June 21, 2009


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