NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Suns Thrash Stars on Thursday Throwdown

July 26, 2007 - Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


Jacksonville, Fla. - After Huntsville's Brendan Katin hit a first inning grand slam, the Jacksonville Suns (65-39, 24-10) scored 14 unanswered runs in support of starter Joey Norrito, including three different four run innings, to blast the Huntsville Stars (57-45, 20-14) by the final score of 14-4 in front of 9,274 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

Jacksonville clinched the series victory with Thursday's win by winning three of the first four games. The Suns strengthened their grip on first place in the South Division as Montgomery lost to Mobile and fell to three games back.

The Huntsville Stars opened an early 4-0 lead against Suns starter Joey Norrito. Brendan Katin hit a two-out grand slam homerun, his second grand slam and 17th homerun, to open the early lead. Norrito rebounded from the tough first inning by scattering only three more hits in his next five innings-plus.

The Suns offense rebounded and got back in the game in the second inning against Huntsville starter Steve Hammond. Juan Gonzalez had a bases loaded double to drive home two runs with no outs, cutting the Stars lead to 4-2. Xavier Paul later had an RBI single followed by a Blake DeWitt sacrifice fly to tie the game 4-4. Hammond left a tie game after two innings of work.

Jacksonville showed no mercy on reliever Vince Perkins as James Tomlin belted a two-out double in the third inning to score Cory Dunlap and open a 5-4 Suns lead. Jacksonville scored four more against Perkins in the fourth inning with RBI singles from Blake DeWitt and Kevin Howard. Tomlin later singled home two more runs, the hit coming off of the next reliever Jeff Housman, to open a 9-4 Suns lead.

Housman ran into trouble in the sixth inning with a leadoff double from Alberto Concepcion and back-to-back walks to Cory Dunlap and Anthony Raglani. A wild pitch scored Concepcion to open a 10-4 advantage. David Johnson next entered the game from the bullpen and after getting a groundout from James Tomlin, allowed a three-run homerun from Juan Gonzalez, his third in the series and seventh of the season, for a 13-4 Suns lead.

Jacksonville's Blake DeWitt hit a seventh inning leadoff homerun over the five-foot wall in right field off Johnson to end the scoring at 14-4.

The 10-run margin of victory was tied for the largest in 2007 for the Suns. James Tomlin finished the game 4-5 with three RBI while Juan Gonzalez was 2-5 with a homerun and five RBI. Blake DeWitt went 3-4 with a homerun and three RBI.

Joey Norrito (7-1) picked up the win for the Suns while Vince Perkins (0-1) fell in defeat for the Stars. Mark Alexander (4) recorded a perfect three-inning save.

The Suns and Stars meet for the final time in the regular season Friday at 7:05 p.m. Suns RH Zach Hammes will face Stars LH Sam Narron. Friday is Jimmy Buffett Jersey Auction night. The Suns will wear flower-print jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game to benefit the Children's Home Society of Florida. Following the game fans can enjoy Friday Family Fireworks, sponsored by NAPA. Following the fireworks, fans can enjoy a concert by Rip Tide. Tickets are available by calling 904.358.2846 or by visiting jaxsuns.com.

Check out the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Southern League message board...

Southern League Stories from July 26, 2007


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.

Other Recent Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central