Ryan Searle tossed seven innings of three hit ball as the Smokies beat the Jackson Generals, 4-1.
The Smokies scored all they would need in the third inning. Junior Lake doubled in David Macias and then scored on a sacrifice fly for the game winning run.
Here is more on the game from the Tennessee Smokies:
Ryan Searle scattered one run on three hits over seven innings, and the Smokies combined for eight hits on their way to a 4-1 victory over the Generals on Thursday night at Pringles Park. The win improves the Smokies second half record to 30-23 and 73-50 overall.
After Searle (5-2) made quick work of the Generals lineup over the first two innings, the Smokies came to the plate in the top of the third and tagged LHP James Gillheeney for two runs. David Macias reached on an infield single and scored all the way from first base on an RBI double by Junior Lake, giving Tennessee a 1-0 lead. On the play, Lake advanced to third base as the throw came to home plate. That proved to be a key move in the frame, as Lake tagged up on a sacrifice fly from Jae-Hoon Ha to put the Smokies ahead 2-0.
In the bottom of the fifth, Jake Schafer led off with a single against Searle. After a bunt by Brandon Bantz moved Schafer into scoring position, Gabriel Noriega drove in the runner with an RBI single into right field, cutting Tennessee's lead to 2-1. The Smokies answered back in the top of the sixth, as Junior Lake led off the frame with a solo home run to left field, putting the Smokies up 3-1. Three batters later, Rebel Ridling powered a solo shot to left field to increase the lead to 4-1 in favor of the Smokies.
Searle earned the win by allowing just one run on three hits over seven innings of work. He also walked three, while striking out six. LHP Jeff Beliveau came out of the bullpen to pitch the eighth and ninth innings and gave up just one hit, while striking out the side to close the game out in the bottom of the ninth.
The Smokies and Generals will play the fourth game of their series on Friday at 8:05 PM. RHP Trey McNutt (2-5, 4.77) takes the mound for the Smokies, while Jackson starts RHP Steven Hensley (3-6, 5.09). The Smokies return home to Smokies Park for a series against the Chattanooga Lookouts on Sunday, August 20, at 5:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased at www.smokiesbaseball.com or by calling (865) 286-2300.