Sports stats

Stars Hold on to Beat Smokies Friday Night

August 11, 2012 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


KODAK, Tenn. - With the potential game tying run on third base, Huntsville Stars closer Brandon Kintzler struck out Tennessee Smokies left fielder Nelson Perez to nail down a 4-3 victory on Friday night at Smokies Park.

The majority of the ballgame was a pitchers duel between Stars starter Josh Stinson and Smokies lefty Eric Jokisch.

For the Stars, their only run against Jokisch came in the third inning. To begin the frame, the first three batters reached base to load the bases with nobody out. Later in the inning, a RBI groundout by Scooter Gennett gave the Stars a 1-0 lead. Jokisch finished up the night giving up just that one run on five hits in six innings of work in a no decision.

Up by a score of 2-0 in the seventh inning, Stinson ended up giving up his only run in the seventh inning. Following a leadoff triple by Smokies center fielder Matt Szczur, a RBI single from second baseman Logan Watkins cut the Stars lead to one. Stinson finished his night giving up that run on just three hits while striking out six batters.

Unfortunately for Stinson, the Smokies offense ruined a bid for his 12th win on the season by tying up the ballgame in the eighth inning. With RHP Darren Byrd in the game, a RBI single by Szczur knocked in left fielder Nelson Perez to tie the score at 2-2.

In the top half of the ninth inning, the Stars took the lead for good with a big surge. With one out, right fielder Brock Kjeldgaard blasted a solo home run off of Smokies reliever Kevin Rhoderick to give the Stars back the lead. Following the Kjeldgaard blast, right fielder Kentrail Davis reached on an error and catcher Adam Weisenburger drew a walk. The next at-bat, a pinch-hit RBI single by T.J Mittelsteadt plated Davis to give Huntsville a 4-2 lead.

With Kintzler in the game for the Stars to start the bottom of the ninth, the Smokies were able to make it interesting. To begin the frame Watkins led off the frame with a ground-rule double. Back-to-back singles by center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha and first baseman Justin Bour loaded the bases for Tennessee. Two batters later, a RBI groundout by third baseman Matt Cerda brought home Watkins to make the score 4-3. However, with runners on first and third and two outs, Kintzler struck out Perez to finish off the game.

On offense, the Stars were led by Gennett, Stinson and Statia, who all had two hits apiece. For Gennett, he has now had two or more hits in each of his last six games.

Game four of a five-game series will take place on Saturday as the Stars will send RHP Evan Anundsen (5-7, 4.88 ERA) to the mound. First pitch is at 6:15 ET.



Southern League Stories from August 11, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Huntsville Stars Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central