SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Three Hits Not Enough For Smokies In 4-0 Loss

Published on July 3, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. - After a thrilling ending to Wednesday night's game, the Tennessee Smokies offense came out flat tonight in dropping a 4-0 contest to the visiting Huntsville Stars. With a crowd of 6,914 on hand, the fifth largest crowd in Smokies Park history, the Smokies fell to 11-5 for the second half of the season while Huntsville improved to 8-8.

Nic Ungs (1-0) was sharp on the mound for the Stars from the early going, confounding Smokies hitters through the bottom of the fourth until Matt Craig finally came up with the first hit of the game for Tennessee. That would be the only hit that Ungs would allow, as he would throw seven innings of scoreless ball, walking just two batters through 78 pitches.

Smokies starting pitcher Alex Maestri (0-1) was also very impressive in his Smokies Park debut, but paid dearly for a couple of mistakes against a potent Stars offense. In the top of the fourth, Maestri allowed two straight hits to begin the inning, the second one being a two-run blast by Matt LaPorta, his 20th of the season. With a 2-0 lead, Huntsville struck again with the long ball, this time off the bat of Cole Gillespie in the top of the sixth. Gillespie's blast was a two-run shot, which slammed into the Smokies new scoreboard to give Huntsville a 4-0 cushion.

Tennessee did manage to mount a potential rally in the bottom of the ninth, much to the delight of the crowd. Nate Spears singled to lead off the inning and get the crowd on its feet, followed by another single from Tyler Colvin. After Craig struck out, Doug Deeds came to the plate with hopes of another ninth inning blast. But Colvin was picked off of first base and tagged out in a rundown, which advanced Spears to third. Jake Fox then flew out to center field to end the game for the Smokies. Tennessee managed to split the series with Huntsville to remain in first place in the Southern League North Division.

The Smokies now take to the road to face the Carolina Mudcats in a four-game series beginning tomorrow night through Monday July 7th. Tennessee will return home for a five-game set against the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx on Tuesday July 8th through Saturday July 12th. All game times are set for 7:15 pm.

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Southern League Stories from July 3, 2008


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