Biscuits Nipped by Stars

Scott Krieger launched a seventh-inning solo homer off of Rayner Oliveros, and the Huntsville Stars (18-17) beat the Biscuits (19-15) by a final of 3-2 Friday night at Riverwalk.

David Newmann’s first inning struggles continued, with Caleb Gindl and Zelous Wheeler knocking back-to-back two-out doubles to put the Stars up 1-0.

The Biscuits answered quickly, with Emeel Salem doubling to start the frame and Nevin Ashley driving him in with a single, evening things up at 1-1.

Huntsville wasted no time in taking their second lead, getting singles from Andy Machado and Chris Errecart, and a double from nine-hitter Brent Brewer to make it 2-1.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Biscuits’ Emeel Salem hit a hard groundball to first that Errecart couldn’t handle, and went into second with two outs. Chris De La Cruz then followed with a double to plate Salem and tie things at 2-2.

Krieger’s seventh inning bomb came with one out, and sliced over the right field wall.

Matt Fields had three singles to lead the Biscuits, with Salem, De La Cruz, and Ashley all recording two hits at the top of the lineup.

Newmann wound up pitching four scoreless frames after allowing a run in each of the first two, and left having struck out six and walked two. Huntsville starter Alex Periard took a no-decision, allowing two runs on seven hits in his five innings.

Oliveros falls to 0-4 with the loss, while Marc Willinsky takes the win with 1.1 scoreless relief to go to 2-0. Brandon Kintzler worked a perfect ninth for his fifth save.

The Biscuits head to Birmingham tomorrow to begin an 11-game roadtrip, with RHP Jeremy Hall opposing the Barons’ RHP Johnnie Lowe at 6:05.