Stars Shutout Opposition

Connor Shreve

The Huntsville Stars guaranteed a series victory over Mississippi with a 5-0 victory Saturday night at "The Joe".

The Stars quickly gave starting pitcher Andre Lamontagne a cushion with two first inning runs. Brett Lawrie and Caleb gindle both picked up hits to start the game. The two men at the top of the order also added a base to their resume by swiping a free bag on the same pitch. Lawrie scored on a deep sac fly by Chris Nowak, which may have easily sailed over the fence had it not been for near hurricane like winds with storms looming. The Stars RBI leader Taylor Green brought home Gindle with a single before the inning came to a close.

Green continued his RBI tear in the third. A two out double in the third baseman's next time up brought home Zelous Wheeler and added to Greens impressive night. The Stars third baseman finished 3-4 with a run and two RBI. The 24 year old Canadian national has now driven in 59 runs heading in to the final full month of the season, good for sixth in the league.

The hometown Stars scored more but the pitching staff didn't need any extra. Lamontagne and Chris Cody combined for a four hit shutout. Lamontagne remains unbeaten with the Stars, moving to 3-0 while Cody seems to be embracing his new spot in the bullpen.

Cody started the sixth in his first appearance since being transferred to the pen on July 28 and threw four innings while notching his first save of the year. Each Huntsville hurler gave up two hits, walked one and struck out three M-Braves batters.
The Stars will play game five of the current ten game road trip Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. (CDT). A Huntsville win combined with a Tennessee loss in Kodak would bring the Stars to within one game of the first place Smokies.

The game can be heard live on www.huntsvillestars.com