Jaxx fall before second-largest crowd in Pringles Park history

By DAVID BRANDT
dbrandt@jacksonsun.com
Jul 4 2005

For the first time in his four years as manager of the Diamond Jaxx, Bobby Dickerson saw a monster home crowd break into the wave.

In front of the second-largest crowd to ever witness a game at Pringles Park, Huntsville edged the Jaxx, 5-3, on Sunday night.

But regardless of the outcome - for at least one night at The Big Chip - the magic was back with 6,735 screaming fans in attendance.

''It was awesome,'' Dickerson said. ''The intensity with our players was incredible. You could see it in their eyes. Every at-bat was contested and it was a great atmosphere to play in.''

Admittedly, most of the crowd showed up for post-game fireworks. But with a well-played game by both sides that saw West Tenn rally on several occasions, the fans were loud and proud from about the fifth inning to the final out.

The Jaxx (50-31, 6-6) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second inning, but never led again, as Huntsville managed to stop West Tenn rallies without too much harm.

Huntsville's Dana Eveland (9-4) and the Jaxx's Sean Marshall (0-1) hooked up in a strong pitching duel through the first six innings. Eveland struck out nine and gave up only one earned run, while Marshall struck out eight and gave up only four hits.

''I felt good about tonight even though we lost,'' Marshall said. ''I threw some pretty good pitches that they made good swings on. But I always look forward to playing in a park where the crowd's into it like tonight.''

The Jaxx out-hit Huntsville (36-45, 7-5), 10-9, but leaving 10 runners on base doomed West Tenn.

Matt Murton, Dwaine Bacon, Brandon Sing and Jose Reyes each had two hits, but the Jaxx couldn't find a way to string base hits together for a big inning.

''You just have to tip your hat to Huntsville's pitchers,'' Murton said. ''We had some success, but every time (the Stars) needed an out, they were able to get it.''

The Jaxx narrowed Huntsville's lead to 4-3 in the seventh inning when Bacon scored from first base on a single by Murton. But the Jaxx's bullpen couldn't hold the momentum as Thomas Atlee gave up a run in the top of the eighth that set the final 5-3 margin.

''That's the job of the bullpen - put up a zero on the scoreboard when we're trying to get the momentum back,'' Dickerson said. ''But we just couldn't do that tonight. Our relievers let the first batter get on base in every inning and it cost us.''

The loss drops the Jaxx out of first place in the Southern League's North Division and catapults the Stars into the top spot. The season series between the two teams stands at 6-4 in favor of the Jaxx.

Huntsville got two hits from Brandon Gemoll, Ben Van Iderstine and Kennard Bibbs, and then Mitch Stetter silenced the West Tenn bats in the eighth and ninth innings to pick up his eighth save of the season.

''Good pitchers throw strikes and that's what Stetter did at the end,'' Huntsville manager Don Money said. ''He's not overpowering, but he'll be in the big leagues someday. He's got that poise.''

West Tenn now hits the road for over a week on an eight-game swing that includes four games at Tennessee and then four more at Carolina. The Jaxx return on July 15 when they begin a three-game series with the Mississippi Braves.

-David Brandt, 425-9636

Game sketch

Score: Huntsville 5, Jaxx 3

Player of the game: Huntsville's starting pitcher Dana Eveland kept the Jaxx offense in check, striking out nine over six innings and giving up only two runs.

Play of the game: Huntsville closer Mitch Stetter snagged a line drive back to the mound to end the

Noteworthy: Pringles Park hosted easily its biggest crowd of the season - 6,735 strong. Those in attendance saw a pre-game ceremony in honor of Independence Day, then a post-game fireworks show.

Up next: The Diamond Jaxx hit the road for an eight-game road trip beginning today at 6:15 p.m. The Jaxx send Ricky Nolasco (7-0, 2.89 ERA) to the mound to face Tennessee's Enrique Gonzalez (8-4, 3.78 ERA).

Who's hot: Brandon Sing has been in a groove, going 4-for-11 over his past three games and hitting the 101st home run of his career on Friday night. Matt Murton has gone 6-for-10 with a home run during the same stretch.

Who's not: Ryan Theriot's been hitting the ball hard lately, but doesn't have much to show for it, going 3-for-13 over the past three games.

Jaxx fact: After a sizzling 31-11 start to the season, the Jaxx have been 18-20 over the past month and a half.