Stars Scratch Another One-Run Win

Published on April 23, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Derrick Ellison spun 2 1/3 innings of shutout relief, as three relievers combined to shut out Carolina to preserve Huntsville's 2-1 victory Thursday night in the fourth of a five-game set at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, NC. The Stars evened their record at 7-7 but remain a half game behind Tennessee in the North Division, while the Mudcats dipped to 6-8. All seven of the Stars' wins have been decided by one run, as they have played in nine one-run games and 12 games decided by three runs or fewer.

The Stars loaded the bases on two singles and a walk against James Avery in the first inning and scored the game's first run on a Vinny Rottino ground out but wound up leaving the bases full. The Mudcats tied the game in the home half when Chris Heisey led off with a double and scored when Zach Cozart singled to drive in his fourth run of the series.

Huntsville reclaimed the lead in the second inning when Kevin Melillo drove in a run with a ground ball out with the bases loaded after a diving grab of his two-hopper made behind the bag by Logan Parker, the first baseman. Cozart, the Mudcats' shortstop, then made a diving grab on a Rottino ground ball that looked like it was headed into center field and threw him out at first base to end the rally. Huntsville left eight runners on in the first four innings, stranded at least one runner in seven innings and left a dozen runners on in the game.

David Welch got Eric Eymann to ground into a double play with two runners on in the fourth to squash a rally and was relieved with two runners on and two out in the fifth in his longest outing of the season. Ellison took over and retired Todd Frazier to end the frame and then set down six of the next seven hitters he faced to grab his first double-A victory. Omar Aguilar worked a perfect eighth inning before Mike McClendon gave up back-to-back two-out singles in the ninth and then induced Michael Griffin to bounce into a force out at second base to end the game. Welch allowed six hits, walked two and struck out three.

Avery suffered the loss after giving up both runs on four hits and five walks over four frames. He made his tenth start against Huntsville since the opening of the 2007 season and is now 2-6 against the Stars. Alexander Smit, Derrick Lutz and Sean Watson blanked the visitors over the final five frames.

The series concludes Friday night with Stars' right-hander Mark Holliman making the start against Mudcats' right-hander Misael DeJesus. Coverage of the game begins at 6:00 pm central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

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Southern League Stories from April 23, 2009


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