Monday, May 23, 2005

L 6-3

Zebulon, NC --- Enrique Cruz was the entire Huntsville offense, doubling, homering twice and driving in all six runs as the Stars defeated second-place Carolina 6-3 at Five County Stadium on Monday night.   Cruz, who doubled the Stars (20-24) to a 1-0 lead in the second inning, hit a one-strike pitch from Scott Olsen (L, 4-3) for a three run homer in the seventh as Huntsville went ahead 4-3.  Cruz belted a longer homer in the ninth with a man on against reliever Jerrod Fuell to cap a huge offensive night.  

Carolina (27-16) dropped 4 1/2 behind first place West Tenn, which beat Mobile on a go-homer by Felix Pie in 10 innings 1-0.  

The Mudcats took a 2-1 lead in the second against winning pitcher Glenn Woolard (W, 3-4) on a two-run double by Chris Bass.  Bass' grounder found the left field corner and scored Michael Tucker and Dennis Anderson, each who walked.  The Mudcats added an unearned run in the sixth on a wild throw by second baseman Callix Crabbe to permit Tucker to come home.   

Three Mudcats were ejected in the game by home plate umpire Brandon Bushee.  Centerfielder Eric Reed and manager Gary Allenson were tossed in the fourth after separately arguing a hit by pitch of Reed, which was ruled a bunt attempt.  Olsen was thrown out after the final out of the seventh inning, his last in the game.  

Carolina stranded 11 baserunners and went 1-14 with runners in scoring position.  

Nic Ungs (1-4, 5.66) starts for the Mudcats on Tuesday night against Khalid Ballouli (2-3, 5.70)  at

7:15 PM ET.  

HUNTSVILLE        0 1 0   0 0 0   3 0 2   ---   6   11   3   7

CAROLINA             0 2 0   0 0 1   0 0 0   ---   3    5    0  11  

WP - Woolard (3-4)

LP - Olsen (4-3)

S - DeWitt (4)  

HR - Cruz 2 (3, 4)

Time:  3:02

Att:  1,453