Stars Take Two from Bears

August 8, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Huntsville, AL – After Tuesday's marathon doubleheader at Joe Davis Stadium, Thursday night was old hat. A second twin bill between the Stars and Bay Bears featured a passed ball permitting a tying run, a bases-loaded walk forcing in a winning run, a blown squeeze and a botched rundown, and a new pitcher notching a victory and a save in the same day. Huntsville (25-21) won both games with late-inning rallies, 3-2 and 3-1, to move within one-half game of first in the Southern League West second half race.

In game one, the Stars trailed 2-0 entering the bottom of the seventh. J.J. Hardy led off with a walk, and one out later Brandon Gemoll doubled him to third. Noochie Varner received an intentional walk, then Brad Nelson hit a chopper up the middle. Shortstop Danny Bravo fielded but threw high to first for an error as Hardy scored the Stars' first run. Kade Johnson struck out, and pinch-hitter Chris Barnwell came to the plate. A passed ball scored Gemoll with the tying run, and Barnwell walked on four pitches. Alejandro Machado took a 3-1 pitch low and inside for a walk that forced in Varner for a 3-2 win.

Jeff Hundley (1-0), who joined Huntsville Wednesday from High Desert in the California League, garnered the victory in his Stars debut, giving up a run on two hits while fanning one in the seventh. Stars lefty Jeff Housman authored another solid performance, his fourth straight since a call-up from Beloit in the Midwest League. Housman threw six innings, allowing just three hits and one run while fanning a season-high five. Rusty Tucker (2-6) suffered the loss, surrendering two unearned runs on one hit and two walks in 1/3 inning.

In game two, Huntsville snapped a 1-1 tie with a sixth-inning outburst sparked by Corey Hart's leadoff single. On a ground ball deep in the hole between short and third, Hart legged out a hit on a tight play at first. The 6-foot-6 Hart then showed his speed again, racing from first to third on Brandon Gemoll's single to center. With the infield in, Varner hit a bouncer to second, and when Hart held at third, the Bears forced out Gemoll at second. With Mike Kremblas batting, the Stars tried a squeeze, but Kremblas missed the bunt, leaving Hart hung up between third and home. Catcher Humberto Quintero chased Hart toward third and fed Rico Washington, but Hart stopped in time to run back toward the plate. Washington's throw home plunked Hart in the back, allowing him to score the go-ahead run. After Kremblas grounded out, Barnwell delivered a clutch single to center, scoring Varner for a 3-1 Stars lead.

Hundley returned the mound just two hours after his debut, and the newest Star recorded his first save, allowing only a hit batter in a scoreless seventh. The only other Huntsville pitcher to record a win and save in a doubleheader was Joe Klink, on May 13, 1989, in 6-4 and 5-2 wins at Charlotte. Dave Nolasco (1-2) picked up his first win in three starts with Huntsville, giving up just one run on three hits and three walks with three strikeouts in six innings. Chris Rojas (5-8) suffered the loss, permitting three runs, one earned, on seven hits and two walks in five-plus innings.

The Stars now travel to West Tenn for a four-game series at Pringles Park. In the opener, Huntsville matches righty Ben Hendrickson (5-4, 4.07) against Diamond Jaxx right-hander Mike Nannini (9-7, 3.80). Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Bill Penney Toyota Pre-game Show starts at 6:50 p.m. Stars baseball can heard on Jammin' 1550 WLOR, ESPN 1450 WTKI and at www.huntsvillestars.com.



Southern League Stories from August 8, 2003


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