Cody shines as Stars edge Mudcats

By Aaron Morse

Chris Cody tossed five strong innings and the Huntsville Stars (28-33) prevailed 5-3 over the Carolina Mudcats (25-35) Thursday night.

With one away in the first Lorenzo Cain smacked to center off Mudcats’ starter Travis Webb. Caleb Gindl proceeded to wrestle the RBI lead back with a single to center to drive home Cain. After Zelous Wheeler legged out an infield single, Taylor Green doubled in Gindl, putting runners at second and third with only one out. A wild pitch scored Wheeler and the Stars took a 3-0 lead. Steffan Wilson followed with a sacrifice fly. Green crossed the plate and Huntsville had a four-run advantage.

Carolina cut the lead in half in the bottom of the frame against Cody. With two down, Sean Henry drew a walk. Mike Costanzo followed with a two-run blast and just like that it was 4-2.

After the wild first inning both starters settled down quite nicely. Webb and Cody went five innings each, but Cody got the better of his fellow lefty. Cody only surrendered two hits and two runs. He walked three and struck-out three as well. Meanwhile Webb scattered six hits, giving up all four runs in the first. He walked one and struck-out three.

The bullpens took over from there and the Stars were able to add an insurance run in the eighth. Zelous Wheeler drew a lead-off walk against Philippe Valiquette. Green grounded out and Wheeler advanced to second. He advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a Wilson ground-out.

The Mudcats made one last charge in the bottom of the ninth against Stars’ reliever Eddie Morlan. With two away Devin Mesoraco doubled to left. Dave Sappelt followed that with a double of his own to make the score 5-3.

But Morlan struck-out Denis Phipps to end the game and pick up his first save of the year.

Cody (3-6) earned the victory while Webb (2-4) suffered the loss. Jim Henderson worked two scoreless innings and Donovan Hand tossed one as well to pick up holds.

Lawrie tallied three hits at the top of the order and Wilson drove in two runs despite going 0-3.

Carolina managed only four hits in the contest while the Stars pounded out 11 of their own. Huntsville left seven stranded but still came away with the win.

The Stars take on the Mudcats in game two of the five game set Friday night beginning at 6:15pm central time. Michael Bowman (5-4) will be looking for a team-best sixth win of the year.