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Stars Fall to Jaxx in 9th, 3-2

May 16, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Jackson, TN – Somehow, West Tenn found a way to win. The Diamond Jaxx had the tying run taken away in the fifth, then the tying run was picked off second with nobody out in the eighth. West Tenn was down to its final out, trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth. Nick Ortiz drew a walk to extend the game, and Brandon Sing belted a walk-off homerun for a 3-2 Diamond Jaxx victory on Friday night at Pringles Park.

Huntsville closer Mike Adams retired the first two Jaxx hitters in the ninth, but Ortiz walked on five pitches to bring Sing to the plate as the potential winning run. On a 1-1 fastball from Adams, Sing hit a line shot to left-center that just cleared the wall for a walk-off two-run homer, his fifth of the season.

"We have a good group of guys that won't get down," Stars hitting instructor Sandy Guerrero said. "They'll bounce back. They don't want to let this happen again. They'll put up a seven-spot tomorrow. They don't like this feeling.

Trailing 2-1 in the fifth, West Tenn's Jon Hamilton doubled with two outs off Stars reliever Matt Parker. Brendon Harris singled to left, and Hamilton apparently scored easily from second. Huntsville skipper Frank Kremblas immediately pointed for an appeal at third, and plate umpire John Woods called Hamilton out for missing third base. Jaxx manager Bobby Dickerson was ejected after arguing the call with Woods.

The Stars grabbed an early lead when Dave Krynzel scored on Corey Hart's two-out, third-inning double. In the bottom of the frame, the Jaxx tied it as Ray Sadler scored from second on third baseman Hart's two-base throwing error. Huntsville retook the lead in the fifth when Ryan Knox doubled, took third on Krynzel's bunt-single and scored on Richard Paz's groundout.

After Sadler doubled to start the eighth, Stars catcher Kade Johnson promptly picked him off second. Hamilton drew a walk, and Harris lined into a double play to end the inning. That set the stage for Sing's heroics in the ninth.

Travis Anderson (1-0) picked up his first win, tossing a perfect ninth inning for the Jaxx. Adams (1-3) suffered his third loss, surrendering two runs on one walk and one hit in two-thirds of an inning. Adams has blown four saves in eight chances. John Webb authored seven solid frames for West Tenn, permitting two runs on eight hits and two walks with two strikeouts. Stars starter Ben Hendrickson pitched two innings, allowing three hits and no runs while fanning one, and left the game after again feeling discomfort in his right elbow. Matt Parker delivered four outstanding innings for Huntsville, giving up only an unearned run on three hits with three strikeouts and one walk.

Hitting Stars:

Ryan Knox – 2-for-4, 2B, 1B, SB, R
Dave Krynzel – 2-for-4, 2 1B, SB, R
Richard Paz – 1-for-3, 1B, BB, RBI
Corey Hart – 2-for-4, 2B, 1B, RBI

West Tenn (19-20) pulled within four games of Huntsville (23-16), which maintains a three-game edge on Birmingham in the Southern League West Division.

The Stars and Diamond Jaxx play game three of the series on Saturday night at 6:35 p.m. CT in Jackson. Huntsville lefty Luis Martinez (4-2, 1.13) meets righty Sergio Mitre (2-3, 4.35). Listen to the Stars on Jammin' 1550 WLOR, ESPN 1450 WTKI and at www.huntsvillestars.com. Broadcast time is 6:20 p.m.



Southern League Stories from May 16, 2003


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