Stars Hold on for 8-7 Win

July 26, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Chattanooga, TN – In a back-and-forth game filled with loud knocks, Huntsville withstood Chattanooga's final charge and held on for a scintillating 8-7 win on Saturday night at Bell South Park. The Stars (18-15, 58-43) retained a share of first place in the Southern League West second-half race.

Huntsville trailed 2-1 and 5-4 before seizing control with a four-run seventh. Chris Barnwell led off with a double and scored on Ryan Knox's triple to left-center. Dave Krynzel singled home Knox, and Brad Nelson reached on an error at short. A wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third, then J.J. Hardy popped to out to short. After Corey Hart received an intentional walk, Brandon Gemoll's ground ball forced out Hart at second and drove in Krynzel. Noochie Varner doubled ohme Nelson for an 8-5 Stars lead.

The Lookouts mounted a rally in the ninth, as Brian Peterson led off with a double down the rightfield line. After Ryan Miller struck out Dane Sardinha and Wilmy Caceras, Santiago Perez blooped a single to right, sending Peterson to third. Alejandro Diaz hit a rocket to third, and Hart made a diving stop. Hart leapt to his feet but threw a one-hopper to first, and Gemoll could not make the scoop. Peterson scored easily from third, and Perez, who had stolen second, scored when the ball dribbled away from Gemoll. After Edwin Encarnacion walked, Mike Adams relieved Miller and struck out former big-leaguer Robin Jennings with a nasty 2-2 slider to end the game.

Jason Shelly (2-0) grabbed his second win in as many starts, giving up five runs, three earned, on five hits and three walks with five strikeouts in six innings. John Koronka (7-10) suffered the loss, surrendering six runs, four earned, on seven hits and three walks while fanning three over six innings. Adams, who recently made the first two starts of his three-year career, picked up his ninth save and first since June 14, striking out the only batter he faced.

"I felt a lot more comfortable coming in at the end of the game," Adams said. "It's a lot more exciting.

Huntsville and Chattanooga play game two of the series Sunday at Bell South Park. Righty Dave Nolasco (0-0, 0.00) debuts for the Stars, and right-hander Steve Kelley (1-0, 1.50) throws for the Lookouts. Game time is 1:15 p.m. CT. The Bill Penney Toyota Pre-game Show starts at 1:00 p.m. CT. Stars baseball can heard on Jammin' 1550 WLOR, ESPN 1450 WTKI and at www.huntsvillestars.com.



Southern League Stories from July 26, 2003


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