SMOKIES WELCOME 300,000th FAN IN 2017 IN 4-3 WIN AGAINST GENERALS

SEVIERVILLE, TENNESSEE  - The Tennessee Smokies ended their two-game skid against the Jackson Generals with a 4-3 win Saturday night in front of 5,286 fans at Smokies Stadium to surpass 300,000 fans throughout the 2017 campaign.
Needing 3,561 fans to reach the 300,000 mark, the Smokies drew 5,286 fans to now set the new mark at 301,725 after setting the new franchise record last night with 296,439 fans in a single season. The Smokies will look to grow on this number with two more scheduled home games left in the 2017 season. The Smokies are also on pace to set a single-season record on average attendance. After Saturday night's game, the Smokies have now averaged 4,946 fans during the 2017 season. The current franchise record is 4,406, which was set in 2015.
Donna Guffey was the lucky 300,000th fan to walk through the gates on Saturday night, as she was rewarded with a special Smokies prize pack, and special recognition during the game congratulating her and all Smokies fans on accomplishing this feat during the 2017 season.
"It has been remarkable to see how fans support their local sports teams in East Tennessee," added Smokies President and COO Chris Allen. "It has taken a great amount of hard work and determination from our staff, but this would not be possible without our great fans that continue to support us year after year."
Casey Bloomquist got the ball for Tennessee as he went 7.0 innings giving up nine hits and three earned runs. Daury Torrez would come in for relief duties in the eighth to close out the game. Torrez would pick up his sixth win of the season.
Oscar Hernández would get the scoring started in the top of the third when he hit an RBI single to score Kelly Dugan. Frank Duncan would hit an RBI single to score Daniel Lockhart. Victor Reyes would hit another RBI single to score Hernandez to end the inning. The Smokies would get on the board in the fourth when Yasiel Balaguert would hit an RBI single to score Andrew Ely and cut the lead to 3-1. 
Jeffrey Baez would hit an RBI double to score Carlos Penalver in the bottom of the eighth to bring the Smokies within one at 3-2. One batter later Charcer Burks would hit an RBI single to score Jeffrey Baez which would tie the game at three all. Andrew Ely would hit a sacrifice fly to score Burks in the same inning and put the Smokies up 4-3. The Smokies would post seven hits and claim their first victory of the series 4-3 over the Generals.
Frank Duncan would get the start for Generals. Duncan pitched 7.0 innings giving up four hits while giving up one run. Josh Taylor would come in for the final two innings of relief for the Generals. Taylor would pick up the loss on the night. 
The Smokies will take on the Generals in game four of the series tomorrow night for Fan Appreciation Night as the first 1,000 fans will receive free meals and each fan will receive a ticket voucher to opening day 2018, presented by Toyota Knoxville. The contest will also be another U.S. Cellular Family Funday. First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m. with gates opening at 4:30 p.m.
ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES
The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. Members of the ten-team Southern League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America's national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com