Suns Down Stars, 7-1

Published on April 13, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Jacksonville, FL – Sunday was a day of firsts at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. The Suns scored their first run in the new ballpark, then they notched their first win there. After being shut out by the Stars in the first two games of the series, Jacksonville knocked off Huntsville, 7-1, to salvage the series finale.

The Suns snapped their scoreless string in the second, when Mike Collins doubled in two runs and pitcher Eric Stults tripled in another for a 3-0 lead. One of a season-high five Stars errors helped Jacksonville to an unearned run in the fourth, and two more errors led to a pair of sixth-inning runs that put the Suns up, 7-1.

Trailing 4-0 in the fourth, Huntsville scored its lone run when J.J. Hardy drew a one-out walk and Corey Hart ripped a double to center that scored Hardy. Ryan Gripp followed with a deep drive to left-center, but Jason Repko's tremendous running catch saved a run. Cristian Guerrero grounded to second to end the inning, and Huntsville advanced only two runners past first base over the final five frames.

Jacksonville's Eric Stults (1-0) excelled in his first start of the season, giving up one run on three hits over five innings to secure his first win. Steve Langone and Scott Proctor both provided two scoreless innings of relief. The Stars' Pedro Liriano (0-2) lost his second straight start, permitting five runs, four earned, on six hits and four walks in four innings. Ryan Miller fanned four and surrendered two unearned runs in two innings of work, and Matt Hammons authored two scoreless stanzas, striking out three.

The Suns had just five hits in their first two games, but Sunday they racked up 10 hits. Stults and Michaelis led the Suns with two hits apiece and drove in one run each. Langdon added a double and scored a run, and Nick Alvarez singled and stole two bases. Terek Brock walked three times and scored once. The Stars managed just five hits: Hart's run-scoring double and four singles. Hardy's sixth-inning base hit extended his season-long hitting streak to 10 games.

Huntsville's two-game winning streak ended, and the Stars (5-5) dropped ½-game behind West Tennessee in the Southern League Western Division. The Diamond Jaxx nipped Chattanooga, 3-2, on Sunday.

The Stars open a four-game series in Orlando Monday night, when right-hander Ben Diggins (0-1, 2.53) meets Rays righty Jose Veras (0-0, 1.00). Game is 6:05 CST. Listen to the Stars on Jammin' 1550, ESPN 1450 and at www.huntsvillestars.com. Broadcast time is 5:50 p.m. CST.

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Southern League Stories from April 13, 2003


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