The Chattanooga Lookouts and Huntsville Stars went head to head in a do or die fifth game this evening for the Northern Division championship of the Southern League. The winner competes in the league championship round against the Jacksonville Suns who captured the Southern Division crown with 9-1 victory today over the the Mobile BayBears. The Lookouts and Stars faced each other 20 times during the regular season with the Stars taking 13 of those contests.

The Stars forced a fifth and deciding game game by defeating the Lookouts 4-0 on Sunday afternoon. Matt Shelton started for the Lookouts and left after five innings giving up one run on two hits while striking out five. Unfortunately the silence of the Lookout bats was almost eerie as the Chattanooga squad managed only three hits and have had but 10 in the last 27 innings in the series. Tyler Wagner making his first ever start at the AA level held the Lookouts to two hits over six innings. Reliever David Goforth pitched the final three innings giving up only one hit. Lookouts reliever Blake Smith was touched up for three runs in two innings by the Stars.

Long time Chattanooga announcer Larry Ward and his broadcasting partner Jim Reynolds felt the Lookouts going into game four had a chance to capture the Southern League championship for the first time in quite some time. They based their assessment on the momentum the Lookouts brought to the playoff scene finishing the regular season strongly both offensively and on the mound.

Nick Struck started for the Lookouts in today’s game. He was signed to a minor league deal by the Dodgers in April having previously spent his entire minor league career with the Chicago Cubs organization. Although he had a slow start to the season Struck finished very strongly. In six starts in late July and into August he gave up only four earned runs in 36.1 innings. The Stars countered with left-hander Brent Suter who had a run in July and August very comparable to Struck’s.

With two out and two on in the second inning Huntsville shortstop Yadiel Rivera tapped a ball towards third base. Pitcher Nick Struck fielded it and appeared to have an easy out at third. He immediately flipped the ball to the base. The only problem was that third baseman Daniel Mayora had also come in to field the ball so no one was covering third. Struck’s toss sailed past third base and two Huntsville runners scored.

In the Lookouts half of the inning, with one out, Corey Seager lined a shot off Huntville pitcher Suter’s left foot. The ball caromed directly to first baseman Nick Ramirez. Seager’s shot might not have been in vain as catcher Chris O’Brien followed him with a home run to left center field.

Daniel Mayora teased a walk to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning. He stole second base and advanced to third on a long drive by Corey Seager that was caught just in front of the right field wall. Chris O’Brien and O’Koyea Dickson followed with singles. Huntsville manager Carlos Subero quickly replaced starter Brent Suter with reliever Eric Marzec.

The inning continued with a Noel Cuevas single to center field. Chris O’Brien tried to score from second base but was thrown out by center fielder Erik Komatsu. Lookouts manager Razor Shines also moved quickly as he sent Angel Sanchez in to pinch hit for starter Nick Struck. Sanchez again came through with a pinch hit scoring Dickson who this time beat Komatsu’s throw to the plate and giving the Lookouts a 3-2 lead.

Michael Thomas replaced Struck in the top of the fifth inning and retired the side. Bobby Coyle Jr led off the bottom of the inning with a double. After two outs he was driven home on a flair to left field by Corey Seager. Following a Chris O’Brien walk Kevin Shackelford replaced Marzac on the mound. O’Koyea Dickson greeted Shackelford with a three run home run increasing the Lookouts lead to 7-2.

O’Koyea Dickson’s three-run home run in the fifth inning proved to be the difference maker.
(Photo credit – Tim Evearitt)

Jose Dominguez followed Michael Thomas who pitched two scoreless innings. Dominquez proceeded to load the bases with two hits and a walk without retiring a hitter. With one pitch, a ball to the fourth hitter, manager Razor Shines replaced Dominguez with Ralston Cash. Cash immediately walked in a run with no outs and the tying run at the plate. Orlando Arcia followed with a two run single cutting the Lookouts lead to 7-5. Daniel Coulombe was brought in to try to put out the fire which he did with a strikeout and fly out.

In the Huntsville ninth the Stars moved runners to second and third on a single and a double. With two out catcher Chris O’Brien was unable to handle a pitch allowing another run to score. Daniel Coulombe finally struck out Shawn Zarraga to end the agony giving the Lookouts the 7-6 win.

The Lookouts meet the Jacksonville Suns at home on Wednesday and Thursday. The remaining games in the championship series will be played in Jacksonville beginning on Friday.