Smokies Heading to the Southern League Championship
September 21, 2023 - Southern League (SL)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
CHATTANOOGA, TN- The Tennessee Smokies are headed to the Southern League Championship game for the second consecutive year in a row. The Smokies will get a rematch with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in the Championship Series starting on Sunday.
The Smokies put up a huge crooked number in the top of the second inning. Chicago Cubs top outfield prospect Kevin Alcantara hit a three run home run in the second inning to take a 3-0 lead. Later in the frame, Andy Weber singled down the line to score Christian Franklin and take a 4-0 lead.
The Lookouts scored a run in the bottom of the second inning when Francisco Urbaez grounded out with a runner on third, scoring Alex McGarry and getting the Lookouts on the board. Tennessee added an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning when BJ Murray beat out an inning-ending double-play to score Weber and take a 5-1 lead. Tennessee secured the 5-1 lead the rest of the way to win the ballgame and take the North Division Series in a clean sweep.
Smokies starter Walker Powell got his twelfth win of the season, tossing five innings and allowing only one run on three hits with six strikeouts. Chattanooga's starter Sam Benschoter picked up his thirteenth loss giving up four runs in only two innings of work. The Smokies return home on Sunday for game one of the Southern League Championship series against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 P.M.
Free beer night will take place at Smokies Stadium on Sunday and fans must use the 2023 Smokies mason jar to get the free beer. The free beer promotion will last from first pitch until the Blue Wahoos score a run. Gates open at 4:30 P.M. on Sunday. You can purchase tickets at smokiesbaseball.com.
Southern League Stories from September 21, 2023
- Lookouts' Season Ends with 5-1 Loss to Smokies - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Monteverde Dazzles as Blue Wahoos Advance to SLCS - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Biscuits Drop Series to Blue Wahoos, 5-1 - Montgomery Biscuits
- Smokies Heading to the Southern League Championship - Knoxville Smokies
- Birmingham Barons Wrap 2023 Season - Birmingham Barons
- 2024 Trash Pandas Game Times Released - Rocket City Trash Pandas
- Jackson Chourio Named Baseball America's Brewers Minor League Player of the Year - Biloxi Shuckers
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