Generals Walk Off Twice Over Smokies

Jackson, Tenn. - The Generals continued finding ways to win on Friday night at The Ballpark at Jackson, sweeping a doubleheader from the Tenneessee Smokies despite scoring just three runs in 16 innings. The pitching staff was phenomenal, combining to strike out 20 and walk just three while allowing a single run.

Jackson (44-24) walked off to win both contests, clinching the best record in the Southern League in the First Half. The team set a Mariners era record for wins in a half with Friday's wins, and now the Generals are just a victory shy of tying a franchise-mark of 45 set both in 1999 and 2000.

Game 1: Generals 2, Tennessee 1

It took extras, but the Generals won in nine to take the opener over their in-state rivals 2-1. Tennessee had nine hits in the contest, but Jackson held them to just a run.

After leaving men on in the seventh and eighth innings, Jackson finally came through in the ninth to break a 1-1 deadlock. Zach Shank led off with a walk and then moved to third on a double by Brock Hebert. James Farris (0-1, 1.42) intentionally walked Ian Miller to load the bases. Tim Lopes followed with a sacrifice fly more than deep enough to plate Shank and give the Generals a win.

The win was Jackson's third in extra innings, and it marked the fourth time in the last eight days that the team needed extra frames to finish a ballgame. The walk-off was the second for Lopes and the fourth for Jackson as a team.

Jackson rallied with two outs for a run in the second inning off of Tennessee starter James Underwood. D.J. Peterson and Marcus Littlewood singled to put men on the corners before Zach Shank drove in Peterson with a knock of his own to make it 1-0.

Tennessee's only run came in the fifth. Daniel Lockhart led off with a double against Andrew Moore and moved to third on a sacrifice. He'd come home on a fielder's choice to knot the game at one.

Moore turned in a solid effort, striking out six without issuing a walk in 5.1 innings. The bullpen was perfect behind him. Ryan Horstman and Forrest Snow (1-2, 3.65) retired all 11 men they faced in relief of Moore to secure the victory.

Game 2: Generals 1, Tennessee 0

The Generals walked off again in the nightcap, scoring the only run of the game on bases-loaded walk by Brock Hebert in the last of the seventh to secure a series win over Tennessee.

Jackson had been held scoreless on just two hits through six before coming alive in the final frame. Tyler O'Neill and Leon Landry opened up the inning with consecutive singles off of David Garner (1-5, 4.99). After a D.J. Peterson strikeout, Steve Baron walked to load the bases. Brock Hebert followed, drawing a free pass to force home the winning run and give the Generals a 1-0 victory.

Once again, it was the pitching staff that led the way. Andrew Kittredge and Ryne Harper combined to shut out Tennessee over seven innings while allowing just two hits. Kittredge struck out six of the first eight men he faced in just his fourth start of the season.

Harper (2-2, 3.16) tossed three scoreless innings behind Kittredge, striking out five. He did run into some trouble in the seventh after retiring eight in a row. The righty walked a pair before ringing up Trey Martin to keep the game scoreless heading into the home half of the seventh.

Jackson has now won in walk-off fashion five times this year, and they improved to 15-8 in one-run games with both victories Friday. The team has won 10 of its 14 series in the First Half.

The Generals continue their last series of the half on Saturday night with Wedding Night presented by Robert's Jewelers! Engaged couples will have the chance to compete throughout the game for an opportunity to win credits from local businesses to be used towards a wedding! In addition, there will be postgame fireworks all thanks to Robert's Jewelers!

Jackson goes for its fourth in a row over the Smokies Staurday night. Jordan Pries (3-2, 5.66) gets the ball for the Generals opposite Tennessee All-Star Tyler Skulina (3-4, 3.67). First pitch from The Ballpark at Jackson is set for 6:05 pm CT and you can catch all the action on the TJ Network (AM 1390, FM 94.1) in Jackson and online via the TuneIn Radio App starting with the Pregame Show at 5:50 pm CT!

Come and cheer on your First Half Champion Generals for one final series before the All-Star Game in Mississippi! The team could set a franchise record, so come on out and support the Generals! Call the team at (731) 988.5299, stop by The Ballpark or go online to jacksongeneralsbaseball.com to get tickets!