JACKSONVILLE SPORTS NEWS

JAX SPORTS NEWS: Suns fall to Smokies 10-8

The Jacksonville Suns (30-35, 67-68) fell 10-8 to the Tennessee Smokies (38-27, 81-54) in the final road game of the season at Smokies Park on Tuesday night.

Tennessee was fueled by two strong innings, as the Smokies scored four runs in the fourth and six runs in the seventh to pick up their fourth win in the five-game series. Tennessee was led offensively by third baseman Josh Vitters, who finished the game 3-5 with five runs batted in.

Marcus Hatley (3-0) earned the win in relief for Tennessee in relief while Jacksonville reliever Ramon Benjamin (2-2) took the loss for Jacksonville. Jeff Stevens got the final five outs for Tennessee to earn the save.

After the Suns took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third, the Smokies responded with a four-run rally in the bottom of the fourth inning. David Macias tied the game on an RBI single before Vitters hit a bases-loaded and clearing double to put Tennessee ahead 4-1.

The Suns would cut the lead to one run with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth, with Ben Lasater hitting an RBI double and Jake Smolinski driving in a run on a groundout to trim the Tennessee lead to 4-3. Jacksonville scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning to take the lead off Hatley. A wild pitch from Hatley scored Jeremy Synan from third to tie the game before Jim Negrych hit a sacrifice fly to put the Suns ahead 5-4.

The lead was short-lived, with the Smokies responding with a six-run two-out rally off Benjamin in the bottom of the seventh. A Nelson Perez RBI single tied the game before Macias reached on a Ryan Curry fielding error at second base to bring home a pair of runs as Tennessee took the lead at 7-5. Curry was ejected by third base umpire Jordan Ferrell for arguing the call at first base. The next batter, pinch-hitter Ty Wright delivered an RBI single to score Macias, and then Vitters drove home two runs on a single to put Tennessee’s lead at 10-5.

Despite a rough bottom of the seventh inning, the Suns fought back in the eighth. Chris Gutierrez drew a bases-loaded walk from Smokies reliever Rafael Dolis to bring home a run before Luke Montz hit a pinch-hit RBI single to cut the Tennessee lead to 10-7. With the bases still loaded and one out, the Smokies brought in Stevens who forced Mattison to ground into an inning-ending double play to keep the Smokies on top. Jacksonville added a run in the ninth off Stevens when Kyle Jensen smashed a solo homer over the left-center field wall. Jensen’s blast was the final Suns run of the game, as Tennessee won 10-8.

The Suns will bus home to Jacksonville and take Wednesday off before welcoming in the Jackson Generals for a five-game series at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville beginning on Thursday afternoon. Right-handed pitcher Joey O’Gara (7-9, 4.43 ERA) will pitch for Jacksonville while right-hander Andrew Carraway (9-5, 3.46 ERA) will pitch for Jackson. Thursday’s game will start at 1:05 p.m.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Grambling's Williams tabbed starter at QB

Freshman quarterback D.J. Williams, son of head coach Doug Williams, has been given the starting nod as Grambling State prepares to open the 2011 season against Alcorn State at the Port City Classic in Shreveport.

D.J. Williams has been in a spirited with sophomore Frank Rivers to take over behind center for the G-Men, and Doug Williams said the race came down to experience.

“Frank wasn’t out there for spring football and D.J. was,” Doug Williams said. “He just has a better feel for the system — more confidence in it — because he was out there in the spring.”

The elder Williams realizes the pressure his son will be facing making his first start in Independence Stadium.

“He hasn’t taken a snap in front of 20,000 people in his whole life,” Doug Williams said. “The most important thing there is to check his socks and make sure they’re not wet before the game starts. If they’re not wet, we might have a chance.”

Doug Williams said the father and son dynamic won’t be a problem on the field.

“He just happens to be a player and I just happen to be the coach,” Doug Williams said. “I’m both Dad and Coach. At home I’m Dad, but on the field and in this (Robinson Stadium Support Facility) building, I’m Coach.

“I try to stay out of D.J.’s way and he stays out of my way. I don’t really think I can give him advice at this point. He’s just got to learn. He’s done a good job of handling it so far. He just has to keep working hard.”

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JU opens 2011 season at the Citadel

The Jacksonville University football barely missed the FCS playoffs last season and in an effort to enhance its chances at post season play, upgraded the 2011 schedule. The first test comes in the opener on Saturday.

The Dolphins, defending Pioneer Football League co-champions, travel to Charleston, S.C., to take on The Citadel Bulldogs of the Southern Conference. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

"We're ready to get on the field and play,'' JU head coach Kerwin Bell said. "We've had a very good camp and from top to bottom this is the best roster we've started with in the five years we've been here.''

JU, 10-1 last season and 8-0 in the PFL, will be playing its fifth consecutive season opener on the road and have won the last three debuts. For the first time, the Dolphins have recorded three consecutive winning seasons and are 26-9 in that span.

Senior quarterback Josh McGregor, a Walter Payton Award candidate, is expected to lead the offense. He holds all school passing records and threw for 3,049 yards and 32 touchdowns last season.

AFL: Jacksonville Sharks extend season ticket deadline

The Jacksonville Sharks have announced the deadline for early registration on 2012 season tickets has been extended to Sept. 15.

Due to high demand, along with the ArenaBowl XXIV Championship run, the Sharks have extended the early registration deadline. Fans that purchase 2012 season tickets prior to the deadline will receive a Free Sharks commemorative gift for every two tickets purchased.

"It's a great time to be a Sharks fan, we have the best fans in the league," said Sharks Owner and Ticket Manager Steve Curran. "Sea Best field, thanks to the great support we have received is the place to be on game nights. Our season ticket holders are awesome, we look forward to expanding Shark Nation for the 2012 season."

Additionally, season ticket holders will have until the Sept. 15 deadline to exercise the first right of refusal on their current seats. Any tickets not purchased by September 15 will be opened to the public.

The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the Arena Football League (AFL). The ArenaBowl XXIV and back-to-back South Division Champions are presented by Sea Best Seafood and play all home games on Sea Best Field at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

To reserve season tickets or for more information please call (904) 621-0700.

JAX SPORTS NEWS: Hand shines for Suns in 6-2 road win

The Jacksonville Suns (30-33, 67-66) won 6-2 over the Tennessee Smokies (36-27, 79-54) at Smokies Park on Sunday evening.

The Suns were led by starting pitcher Brad Hand (11-4) who was dominant on the mound as well as at the plate in Jacksonville’s first victory of the series. Hand threw five and two thirds innings without giving up a run, and the Smokies scattered five hits against him as he picked up his eleventh win with the Suns.

Hand’s strong performance at the plate began with his first at-bat in the top of the third. Hand hit a leadoff homer off Tennessee starter Ryan Searle (5-3) to give Jacksonville a 1-0 lead. The blast was Hand’s first professional home run, and Jacksonville would not relinquish the lead. Jacksonville added a run in the top of the third with Jim Negrych hitting a sacrifice fly to put the Suns up 2-0.

The Suns struck for four runs in the top of the sixth inning to put the game out of reach. Once again Hand did the damage, driving in a pair of runs on a single to extend the Jacksonville lead to 4-0. Hand finished the game at the plate 2-2 with a homer, three runs batted in, and two runs scored. Hand was brought home on a Jeremy Synan RBI triple, and then Synan scored on a single by Negrych that put Jacksonville ahead 6-0.

Synan led the Suns at the plate with his 3-4 performance that included a RBI and he finished a home run away from the cycle as he hit a single, double, and triple.

The Smokies would add two runs off Jacksonville reliever Kyle Kaminska in the bottom of the eighth, but Jeff Allison came in from the bullpen and got the final four outs without giving up a run, preserving Jacksonville’s 6-2 win.

The Suns and Smokies will play the fourth game of the five-game series on Monday night at Smokies Park. Left-handed pitcher Jose Alvarez (2-4, 4.97 ERA) will pitch for Jacksonville while right-hander Trey McNutt (4-5, 4.55 ERA) will pitch for Tennessee. Monday’s game will start at 7:15 p.m.