Stars sweep Biscuits

Published on May 18, 2013 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Two nights after clinching their first series victory since their opening five-game set of the season, the Huntsville Stars rode that wave of confidence by sweeping the Montgomery Biscuits in a series-opening doubleheader at Joe Davis Stadium on Saturday night. In game one, the Stars started off quickly against Biscuits starting pitcher Jacob Thompson (L, 2-5).

Starting in the second inning, the Stars got a solo homer from center fielder Rene Tosoni and a RBI single from catcher Robinson Diaz to make the score 2-0. One inning later, Huntsville got another solo homerun, this one from first basemen Jason Rogers to put them up three.

However, Mongtomery would not go down without a fight. With a sacrifice fly from left fielder Todd Glaesmann in the third and then a solo homer from catcher Mayo Acosta in the fourth off of Stars starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson (W, 5-2), the Biscuits cut the Stars lead to one.

Then, after a pair of two run singles by Rogers and outfielder Brock Kjeldgaard put the Stars back up by a score of 7-2 in the fifth, the Biscuits counteracted and chased Nelson from the game in the top of the sixth. Nelson allowed the first five batters of the inning to reach base, walked and hit a batter with the bases loaded and gave up a sacrifice fly to bring Montgomery within two.

Fortunately for the Stars, that's as close as the Biscuits would get. Lefty Thomas Keeling and righty Greg Holle (S, 3) combined to shutout Montgomery through the final 1.2 innings following the exit of Nelson to give Huntsville the victory.

In game two, the story was Stars starting pitcher Ariel Pena.

The 23-year-old righty baffled the Biscuits bats all night, throwing 6.1 frames while giving up just three hits and one unearned run in the seventh inning. Pena also struck out seven batters and only walked two while dropping his season ERA to under 3.00 (2.95) for the first time all season.

On offense, the Stars gave Pena all the run support he needed in the first two innings. As the third batter of the game in the first inning, outfielder Kentrail Davis hit a solo homer in the second inning off of Biscuits starting pitcher Matt Buschmann to give the Stars a 1-0 lead.

One inning later, a two-run single from shortstop Ozzie Chavez gave Huntsville a run cushion that they would not relinquish.

The Stars got a RBI single from Tosoni in the fifth inning and back-to-back sacrifice flies by second basemen Nick Shaw and Chavez in the sixth inning as their other insurance runs.

With the doubleheader sweep, the Stars won two games in a row at home for just the second time this season. Overall, the Stars have won three games straight and four of their last five.

The Stars and Biscuits will play game three of their five-game series at Joe Davis Stadium on Sunday. Huntsville will send RHP Taylor Jungmann (3-4, 5.35 ERA) to the bump to square off against Montgomery RHP Merrill Kelly (2-4, 4.40 ERA). First pitch is at 4:03 PM.

For more information on the Huntsville Stars, visit huntsvillestars.com or call (256) 882-2562.

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Southern League Stories from May 18, 2013


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