Smokies Squeeze By Carolina in 11th
June 27, 2007 - Southern League (SL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release
Zebulon, NC- The Tennessee Smokies squeezed in the game winning run in the 11th inning to defeat Carolina 2-1 Wednesday night at Five County Stadium.
With the bases loaded and only one out, Carlos Rojas put down a suicide squeeze bunt much to the surprise of Craig Molldrem and the Mudcats defense, scoring Jake Fox, who broke home on the pitch. The run gave the Smokies their first lead on the night after trailing for most of the game.
Carolina took an early lead in the second thanks to a solo shot off the leftfield scoreboard by Ryan Bear. Bear saw nine pitches off Smokies starter Donnie Veal before taking the 10th offering yard. It was Bear's six home run and 28th run batted in on the year.
Rick Vanden Hurk and the Mudcats tried to preserve that lead for the rest of the game. The Dutch right-hander ran into trouble in the seventh inning, but a dazzling throw by Chase Lambin kept the Smokies scoreless. Tennessee left fielder Issmael Salas tried to score from first but was gunned down at home.
Vanden Hurk would leave the game after that inning, pitching seven shutout innings. Unfortunately, Bear's solo shot would be all the offensive support he would see.
Tennessee eventually tied the game up with two outs in the eighth by an RBI smash single by Tyler Colvin. Smokies reliever James Henderson picked up his fourth win on the season, while Molldrem drops to 3-3.
The two teams will try to take the series lead tomorrow night at 7:15. Chris Seddon (3-5, 5.38) will throw for Carolina and he will face southpaw Paul Schappert (3-2, 5.75).
• Discuss this story on the Southern League message board...
Southern League Stories from June 27, 2007
- BayBears Win Fourth Straight - Mobile BayBears
- Villa & Schreiber Batter Biscuits - Mississippi Braves
- Colvin Shines, Smokies Win in 11 - Tennessee Smokies
- Villa Evens Series with Biscuits - Mississippi Braves
- Smokies Squeeze By Carolina in 11th - Carolina Mudcats
- Suns Take Sloppy Wednesday Game in Birmingham - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Five BayBears Named All-Stars - Mobile BayBears
- Four Suns Headed to the Southern League All-Star Game - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Four Mudcats Named To All-Star Team - Carolina Mudcats
- Southern League Announces 2007 South Division All-Star Team - SL1
- Three Biscuits Named to All-Star Team - Montgomery Biscuits
- Smokies Score Four To Southern League All Star Team - Tennessee Smokies
- Biscuits work Braves, 9-5 - Montgomery Biscuits
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
