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Stars Take Two from G-Braves

June 21, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Greenville, SC – Huntsville (3-0, 43-28) used phenomenal defense and timely hitting to sweep two from the G-Braves (0-3, 36-35) on Friday night at Greenville Municipal Stadium. In game one, the Stars rapped seven hits and scored five times in the decisive third inning on route to a 6-2 win, then Huntsville threw three men out at home plate in an extra-inning, 6-3 win in the nightcap.

Trailing 1-0 in game one, Huntsville took the lead with a season-high seven hits in one inning. Richard Paz led off the third with a single, then Kade Johnson singled. One out later Ryan Knox loaded the bases with a single, and Dave Krynzel singled home a run. J.J. Hardy's groundout scored another run, followed by Corey Hart's two-run single. Brandon Gemoll singled to put runners at first and second, and Noochie Varner singled home another run for a 5-1 lead. Paz, batting for the second time in the inning, grounded to second to end the rally.

In game two, Daryl Clark slammed a two-run, second-inning homer, and Mike Kremblas followed Clark with a solo shot of his own. Greenville tied the game on run-scoring hits from Pete Orr and Ryan Langerhans in the third and Jason Fitzgerald's solo homer in the fourth.

In a 3-3 tie in the fifth, the Stars remarkably threw out two Braves runners at home plate on the same play. Langerhans singled with one out, then broke for second on the 3-2 pitch to Bill McCarthy, who laced a pitch down the leftfield line. The slammed off the wall, and Langerhans tried to score from first. Clark fed Hardy, whose relay cut down Langerhans at the plate. The catcher Kremblas tried to throw behind McCarthy who had rounded second too far. Kremblas' throw sailed into centerfield, and McCarthy barreled into third, where G-Braves skipper Brian Snitker waved him home. Krynzel's throw from center hit Kremblas on the fly, and McCarthy was cut down as well to end the inning.

"We played outstanding baseball," Stars hitting coach Sandy Guerrero said. "That was an unbelievable exhibition of fundamentals. An incredible display.

After a Varner-to-Chris Barnwell-to-Kremblas relay nailed Fitzgerald trying to score on Kelly Johnson's sixth-inning double, the game sailed into extra innings. Greenville left runners in scoring position in the sixth, seventh and eighth, setting up Huntsville for ninth-inning dramatics against Greenville closer Billy Sylvester.

Paz led off the ninth with a walk, and Kremblas hit a push bunt between first and second. With Fitzgerald baring down from first, the ball skipped past him then rolled past the second baseman Orr onto the outfield grass, and Paz raced to third. Ryan Knox fanned and Krynzel flied to shallow center. Barnwell drew a critical walk on Sylvester's 3-2 pitch, and Hardy walked to force in the go-ahead run. Hart's bases-loaded, two-run double put Huntsville up, 6-3, sealing the game.

Luis Martinez (7-5) won game one, giving up two runs on six hits and five walks with five strikeouts over six innings. Adam Wainwright (4-7) suffered the loss, surrendering five runs on seven hits, walking none and fanning one in three frames. In the game two, Mike Adams (3-3) notched the win with two scoreless innings of relief, giving up three hits and own walk while striking out three. Sylvester (1-1) absorbed his first loss, permitting three runs on three walks and two hits with one strikeout in one inning. Brian Adams recorded his first save, walking one in a scoreless, hitless ninth.

In Saturday's series finale, Huntsville goes for the sweep behind lefty Derek Lee (9-2, 3.17), the league-leader in victories. Righty Bubba Nelson (5-6, 3.46) goes for the G-Braves. Game time is 6:15 CT at Greenville Municipal Stadium. The Bill Penney Toyota Pre-game Show starts at 6:00 p.m. CT. Stars baseball can be heard on Jammin' 1550 WLOR, ESPN 1450 WTKI and at www.huntsvillestars.com.

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Southern League Stories from June 21, 2003


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