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July 3, 2004
Zebulon, NC - Billy Hall had four hits while Chip Ambres hit a two-run homer allowing Carolina to reclaim the lead in the eighth inning as the Mudcats defeated Chattanooga 9-7 before 5,636 fans in a prelude to Independence Day at Five County Stadium.
Carolina squandered leads of 3-0 and 6-3, falling behind on three Lookouts runs in the top of the eighth. However, Ambres (HR, 7, 1-4, r, 2rbi) connected for a two-run homer against Paxton Crawford (L, 1-1) with one out in the bottom half. Hall (HR, 4, 4-5, 2r, 2-2b, 2rbi, sb) drove in an insurance run later in the inning to score Andy Rohleder (1-4, r, 2k).
Carolina (4-7) split the four-game series with Chattanooga (8-2), and knocked the Lookouts from first place. Greenville won its sixth straight game, and overtook the Lookouts, one game ahead in the East.
The Mudcats scored three in the first inning on five hits against Lookouts starter Daylan Childress. Jeff Fulchino (ND, 6ip, 6h, 4r, 4er, 3w, 1k) allowed three in the Chattanooga second to tie the game thanks to a single, three walks, then a two-run double by Andy Beattie.
Hall hit a tie-breaking homer to right in the fourth as Carolina poked ahead 4-3. Hall, who had a five-hit game against the Lookouts on May 12th, drilled three extra-base hits for the first time in his Mudcats career, spanning 173 games. Hall doubled to right in the second inning.
Josh Willingham (HR, 17, 1-3, r, hr, 2rbi, hbp, k) belted a two-run homer in the sixth to build a 6-3 lead.
One run in the seventh ahead of three in the eighth by the Lookouts springboarded Chattanooga ahead 7-6. In the eighth, Mike McNutt (ND, 1.2ip, 0h, 2r, 2er, 4w, 1k) walked a pair of hitters with two outs before being relieved. Mike Flannery (W, 2-0, 0.1ip, 2h, 1r, 1er, 0w, 0k) allowed a bouncing RBI-single to Edwin Encarnacion, then a two-run double to Jesse Gutierrez.
Carolina will host the Jacksonville Suns on Independence Day Sunday at 7:15 PM ET. Bill Murphy (6-3, 3.47) starts against Dimas Reina (1-3, 6.91). Box seats are sold out, and limited general admission seats remain. The gates will open at 6:00 PM ET. Carolina's annual Fourth Of July fireworks extravaganza set to patriot music will follow the game, running 35-45 minutes.
Chattanooga 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 --- 7 9 0 10
Carolina 3 0 0 1 2 0 0 3 * --- 9 12 3 5
WP - Flannery (2-0)
LP - Crawford (1-1)
S - Messenger (8)
HR - Hall (4), Willingham (17), Ambres (7).
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