Looie the Lookout waves the team banner and a broom to indicated a sweep of the series.
photo by Tim Evearitt
Chattanooga came ready to play on Labor Day. The Lookouts defeated the Montgomery Biscuits Sunday, 2-1. and swept the five-game series with the Biscuits in the final game of the regular season.
With their win over the Biscuits on Monday, the Chattanooga Lookouts made history as they captured their 91st win of the season, which is the most ever recorded by any Lookouts team in the modern era. The previous record of 90 wins was held by the 1992 Lookouts squad.
Starting pitcher, Ryan Eades turned in one of his best performances of the season on the mound.
The former LSU Tiger tossed 5.0 scoreless innings, allowed just three hits, issued one walk, and struck out one. Eades (4-3, 3.63) also earned his fourth win of the season and was named the Ace of the Game for the Lookouts.
The Lookouts scored the game's first run in the bottom of the first inning after Max Murphy drew a bases loaded walk, which allowed Nick Gordon to cross the plate and give the Lookouts a 1-0 lead.
Chattanooga extended their lead 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning when power hitter, Andy Wilkins, tattooed his 12th homer of the season, a solo shot over the right field wall.
Montgomery got on the score board in the top of the sixth inning thanks to the solo home run off the bat of Joe McCarthy, cutting the Lookouts lead in half.
Despite a late inning rally in the bottom of the ninth, it was the Lookouts who once again came away with the victory for the fifth consecutive day, giving them a series sweep over the Montgomery Biscuits to end the regular season. Chattanooga finished with a record of 20-5 over their playoff opponents.
Lookouts' relief pitchers, Randy Rosario and Keaton Steele also pitched well out of the bullpen and proved to be a key part of the Lookouts victory on Monday afternoon.
Rosario (1-0, 4.08), earned his fourth hold of the season while Steele (0-0, 1.29), who recently joined the Lookouts, was credited with his first save.
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The Chattanooga Lookouts (91-49) return to AT&T Field on Wednesday, September 6th, to host Montgomery (76-64) in the first round of the Southern League playoffs. The Lookouts and the Biscuits will be playing for the Southern League North Division Title and a birth in the Southern League Championship Series.
The playoff format will consist of a best of five game series. Games 1 and 2 of the series will be held at AT&T Field on Wednesday, September 6th and Thursday, September 7th.
Game 3 will be held at the Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery, AL on Friday, September 8th.
If necessary, the Chattanooga and Montgomery will return to AT&T Field for games 4 and 5 on Saturday, September 9th and Sunday, September 10th.
RHP, Zack Littell (5-0, 2.81) will start game one of the playoffs for the Lookouts on Wednesday. Montgomery will start their ace, RHP Jose Mujica (13-8, 3.03), in game.
For a preview of the four teams in the Southern League Playoffs, read Guy Curtright's article in the Southern League News. http://tinyurl.com/y8sdajkd
Andy Wilkins fourth-inning solo home run turned out to be the difference in Monday's win.
photo by Tim Evearitt