** Tennessee 7-8, Carolina 3-1 **

ZEBULON, NC-The Tennessee Smokies continued their torrid pace on Thursday night at Five County Stadium as they swept a double header from the home standing Carolina Mudcats, 7-3 and 8-1. In game one of the twin bill, the Somkies scored the first three runs of the game before Carolina made its first dent in the scoreboard. The Mudcats scored three runs to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth off Smokie reliever, Alex Maestri. With one out, Carolina got a pair of singles and a walk to load the bases for Sean Henry who doubled to left to clear the bases and tie the game at three.

But, the Smokies came right back in the top of the seventh to plate four runs off Carolina closer, Jordan Smith. The big hit of the inning was a bases clearing double from Tennessee catcher, Robinson Chirions on the eighth pitch of the at bat, and going to the last frame, Carolina was down by four and couldn't mount a comeback as the Mudcats dropped game one 7-4.

In game two, Daryl Thompson and Hung-Wen Chen dueled deep in an outstanding pitching performance. Carolina (6-8) got the first run of the game in the bottom of the first on a solo home run from Kris Negron to give the Mudcats a short-lived lead.

Tennessee (12-2) came right back in the second for a pair of runs on a RBI triple from Brandon Guyer and a sacrifice fly from Ryan Flaherty.

It remained 2-1 until the top of the sixth when the Smokies sent 10 batters to the plate and scored five runs to put the game out of reach off Mudcat reliever Sean Watson. Tennessee got an insurance run in the seventh and after Hung-Wen Chen pitched six outstanding innings, Dustin Sasser came on to finish the game as the Smokies won the nightcap 8-1.

The series and home stand conclude Friday night at 7:15 when the Mudcats will send Alexander Smit to the hill while the Somkies will counter with Craig Muschko.