Former Vols lead Shuckers past Smokies, set up decisive Sunday finale
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Former University of Tennessee standouts Blake Burke and Andrew Fischer powered the Biloxi Shuckers to a 3-1 win over the Knoxville Smokies on July 11, setting up a series-deciding Sunday finale at Covenant Health Park.
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Burke provided the go-ahead RBI with a line-drive sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, putting Biloxi in front of the Smokies for the first time all night. Fischer provided some insurance the following at-bat, roping an RBI single to right field.
"They're two good players, as you guys know in Knoxville," Smokies manager Lance Rymel told Knox News.
Rymel moved across the diamond from third after first-base coach Derron Davis was ejected in the seventh inning after Karson Simas was picked off to end the frame.
Designated hitter Jefferson Rojas brought in the Smokies' only run of the night with a third-inning sacrifice fly. Right-handed starter Jace Beck struck out nine batters over five innings, giving up three hits and one run.
Smokies player of the game, top moments: Saturday, July 11
Player(s) of the game: Second baseman Drew Bowser and third baseman Alex Madera combined for four of the team's five hits. Both players were called up from High-A South Bend in the past two weeks, and each of them provided a multi-hit performance. Being able to flip over the lineup, Rymel said, "gives us a lot of opportunities."
- Flashy in the fourth: Smokies pitcher Jace Beck corralled a sharply hit ball on the mound in the fourth − the same inning Shuckers shortstop Eric Brown Jr. made a diving stop. Both plays stranded runners in scoring position to hold a 1-1 tie.
- Taking charge: Shuckers right fielder Mark Coley II broke fast on a blooper for a diving catch to keep Smokies first baseman Owen Ayers from a hit in the sixth inning.
- Erasing a Vol: Shuckers third baseman Andrew Fischer tried to stretch a hit into a double, but Smokies right fielder Alex Ramirez threw him out at second base to end the eighth inning.
Upcoming games, promotions at Covenant Health Park
The final game of the series is set for 1 p.m. Sunday, July 12. No promotions are scheduled.
The Smokies will then hit the road for back-to-back road series against the Montgomery Biscuits and Rocket City Trash Pandas before returning to Covenant Health Park for a July 28-Aug 2 homestand against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
Series finale set, plus Smokies record in Southern League North
The Smokies have already clinched a playoff spot by capturing the first-half title and continue to lead the Southern League North in the second half.
- Knoxville Smokies (11-6 second half, 49-37 overall)
- Rocket City Trash Pandas (9-7 second half, 44-40 overall)
- Chattanooga Lookouts (6-10 second half, 43-42 overall)
- Birmingham Barons (6-11 second half, 32-54 overall)
Southern League South standings
- Biloxi Shuckers (10-7 second half, 45-37 overall)
- Columbus Clingstones (10-7 second half, 39-42 overall)
- Pensacola Blue Wahoos (9-7 second half, 45-41 overall)
- Montgomery Biscuits (5-11 second half, 41-45 overall)
Records reflect the standings as of 10 p.m. July 11.Trevor McGee covers the Knoxville Smokies and One Knox SC for Knox News. Email: [email protected]; X: @TrevorMcGee12
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Former Vols lead Shuckers past Smokies, set up decisive Sunday finale