Stars Win Series Finale, 5-3

June 24, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Huntsville, AL – After back-to-back losses, Huntsville needed to make a statement, to take the fight to Carolina. The Mudcats came out swinging in the series' first two games, but Tuesday night the Stars turned the tables. The script had not changed, but the roles were reversed. Huntsville (4-3) powered to a 5-0 lead before a late Carolina (4-3) rally fell short in the Stars' 5-3 win at Joe Davis Stadium.

With one out in the first, Chris Barnwell singled to right and quickly stole second. After Barnwell took third on J.J. Hardy's groundout, Corey Hart blooped a singled to center, scoring Barnwell for a 1-0 Stars lead. In the third, Huntsville scored four to break the game open. Dave Krynzel led off with a double and reached third on Barnwell's ground ball to second. Hardy walked and Hart ripped a run-scoring single to left. After Brandon Gemoll struck out, Noochie Varner launched a 1-0 curve ball deep to left for a three-run homer, his first of the season, putting Huntsville up, 5-0.

Carolina stormed back with one out in the eighth against reliever Brian Adams. Dennis Anderson singled and Chip Ambres walked. One out later, Drew Niles hit a chopper to third, and Corey Hart threw wildly to first for an error, allowing Anderson to score and sending Ambres to third and Niles to second. Ken Ray relieved Adams, and Matt Padgett hit a soft line drive to right that scored both Ambres and Niles. Ray struck out Adrian Gonzalez to end the threat.

The Mudcats mounted one final rally with two outs in the ninth, when Jesus Medrano singled and Anderson was hit by a pitch. Ambres followed with a check-swing bouncer to the right of the mound, where the ball clipped Ray's glove and deflected toward second. Barnwell raced in and flipped the ball to first with his glove, barely beating Ambres for the final out on a very close play.

Ben Hendrickson (2-1) picked up his first win since his first start on April 4. Hendrickson was outstanding after five weeks of rehab for elbow soreness, throwing 65 pitches over six shutout innings, fanning two and allowing only one hit and two walks. Randy Messenger (3-6) suffered the loss, surrendering five runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. Ray picked up his first save, permitting two hits and fanning one over the final 1 1/3 innings.

Huntsville resumes play on Thursday night at Bell South Park in Chattanooga.

Stars lefty Luis Martinez (7-4, 2.37) takes the mound. 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 June 24, 2003


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