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Stars Use One Bat in 8-3 Win

August 31, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Chattanooga, TN – Huntsville's bats came alive on Saturday night at Bell South Park. Actually, Huntsville's bat came alive. The entire lineup swung the same stick, a 33-inch model with a medium barrel, until it broke in the top of the fifth. The impact was immediate, as the Stars batted around in the first, scoring six runs on seven hits. With two games left in the regular season, playoff-bound Huntsville (33-35) got the emotional lift it needed, routing Chattanooga, 8-3, to snap a five-game losing streak.

No less than six two-out hits keyed the first-inning outburst against Lookouts pitcher Josh Hall. The rally started with Noochie Varner's one-out, infield-single, and one out later Corey Hart singled him to second. Brandon Gemoll singled home a run, then Brad Nelson ripped a run-scoring single. Daryl Clark singled in another run, and Kade Johnson launched a two-run double deep to left center. Pitcher Greg Bruso singled, his first hit in pro ball, and Alejandro Machado's popup was dropped by shortstop Jeff Bannon in shallow left, scoring Johnson for a 6-0 lead.

"We swung the bats much better tonight against a pretty good pitcher (Hall)," Stars manager Frank Kremblas said. "The first inning was the key. That's more two-out hits then we've had in a long time.

Greg Bruso (1-1) nabbed his first win in his second start for the Stars, tossing six strong innings, allowing two runs on nine hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Hall (8-10) absorbed his third loss in six appearances against Huntsville, permitting seven runs, five earned, on nine hits while walking two and fanning none. Ken Ray picked up his fourth save, giving up one run on three hits with three strikeouts over three innings of relief.

Huntsville sends righty Pedro Liriano (9-13, 3.65) against Chattanooga right-hander Ryan Mottl (6-5, 3.80) in game three Sunday night. Game time is 6:15 p.m. CT. 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.



Southern League Stories from August 31, 2003


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