Generals Blast Stars in Series Opener, 8-3
GENERALS NEWS RELEASE HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (May 7, 2013) – The Generals (13-16) opened the five game series in Huntsville (11-20) with an 8-3 win to stop the two-game losing skid. Jackson collected 14 hits in the game and eight of the nine starter‘s added hits. This was the first of 20 meetings between the two teams this season. The Generals came out hot Tuesday. In the first inning, the Generals‘ lead-off hitter Leon Landry (1-4, RBI, R) reached on an error and scored off the RBI double of Brad Miller (1-5, RBI, 2B, R). Generals‘ catcher John Hicks (3-5, RBI, 2B, 2 R) doubled to right to plate Miller. Then, a couple batters later, Vinnie Catricala (3-4, 2 RBI, R) singled to right scoring Hicks. After one half inning, the Generals led 3-0. In the second, the Generals‘ first basemen Steven Proscia (2-5, RBI, R) launched a solo homer to center field to give Jackson a 4-0 lead. The Stars would push their first run across in the second by a two-out RBI double plating Jason Rogers, 4-1 Generals. The offense continued for the Generals in the third. Generals‘ right fielder James Jones (1-5) led off the inning with a single to right. After a John Hicks single to right, Jones is called out at third trying to advance on the hit. Julio Morban (2-5, HR, 2 R) singled to left field. Catricala singled to left which plated Hicks, Morban moved to third. One batter later, Generals‘ center fielder Francisco Martinez (1-4, RBI, BB), would then single to center giving the Generals a 6-1 lead halfway through three innings. Huntsville then went back-to-back innings scoring one run in the the third and fourth frame, 6-3 Generals through four. However, in the fifth, the Generals added two runs of insurance. Julio Morban started the inning off with a solo blast to right. With the bases loaded, Leon Landry lifted a sacrifice fly to right which brought Catricala home, and gave the Generals an 8-3 lead. Generals‘ starter Roenis Elias (W, 6.0, 2-2,6,3,3,5,3,2) picked up the win, while the Stars‘ Jimmy Nelson (L, 3-2) suffered the loss for Huntsville. The Generals bullpen combined for three innings, no runs, two hits, three strike outs, and zero walks. Jackson left hander Nick Hill (1.0,2,0,0,0,0,0) closed out the Stars in a non-save situation to end the game. Jackson and Huntsville will play game two of the five game series Wednesday May 8th. First pitch is scheduled for 6:43p.m CT. The Generals will send RHP Chance Ruffin (1-0, 3.10). The Stars will start RHP Ariel Pena (1-2, 4.32).
