Stars Drop 6-1 Decision to Jaxx

Published on August 21, 2004 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Huntsville, AL - With West Tenn clinging to a 2-1 lead in the top of the ninth, Micah Hoffpauir ended the drama. His towering grand slam homerun sealed a 6-1 Diamond Jaxx victory, their third straight over Huntsville. The Stars (28-25, 60-63) remained three games behind Southern League West leader Birmingham entering a crucial five-game set with the Barons beginning Saturday night at Joe Davis Stadium.

The Jaxx forged a 2-0 lead on Mike Dzurilla's second-inning, run-scoring single - Matt Craig scored after opening the first with a double - and an unearned run in the sixth, the result of shortstop Johnny Raburn's throwing error and two Ryan Costello wild pitches.

Huntsville trimmed the lead in the seventh. Prince Fielder led off with a single, just the second hit off Jaxx starter Ricky Nolasco. Fielder broke for second on a 3-2 pitch to Brad Nelson, who checked his swing, apparently taking ball four. On appeal, Nelson was called out on strikes, and Fielder was caught stealing for a disputed double play. Three pitches later, Jamie Gann launched his fifth homerun of the season, a solo shot that pulled Huntsville within a run.

In the ninth, Ronny Cedeno singled off reliever Stars Brian Adams, and Matt Creighton was hit by a pitch. After Dwaine Bacon's sacrifice bunt, Admas plunked Adam Greenberg to load the bases. Hoffpauir sent Adams' next pitch deep to right for a grand slam and a 6-1 Jaxx lead.

Nolasco (5-3) notched his fifth win, fanning six and allowing one run on three hits and two walks over 6 2/3 innings. Costello (8-6) suffered a hard-luck defeat, permitting two runs, one earned, on six hits and three walks with four strikeouts in seven solid innings. Russ Rohlicek recorded his first save, giving up one hit in 1 1/3 shutout frames.

The Stars match righty Dennis Sarfate (6-10, 4.20) against Barons lefty Heath Phillips (11-8, 3.52) in game one of the five-game series on Saturday night at Joe Davis Stadium. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

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Southern League Stories from August 21, 2004


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