Two former Vols homer for Shuckers, defeat Smokies for series split

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Two former University of Tennessee players capped their return to Knoxville with a pair of home runs, leading the Biloxi Shuckers to a 3-1 win over the Smokies in their series finale Sunday, July 12 at Covenant Health Park.

The two-run blast from Blake Burke in the third inning and Andrew Fischer's solo shot in the eighth allowed the Shuckers tie the series at three games apiece ahead of the MLB All-Star break and a Smokies road trip.

"Good for those two guys," Smokies manager Lance Rymel told Knox News. "The last two days, they've been swinging a hot bat. They're dangerous."

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The blast from Burke marked just the third time in Shuckers franchise history a player has notched 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a single season.

The Smokies recorded three hits in the loss. Right fielder Alex Ramirez broke the shutout with a single to score Alex Madera in the eighth inning.

Smokies player of the game, top moments: Sunday, July 12​

Player of the game: Brody McCullough, the Chicago Cubs' 10th round pick in 2022, dealt with injuries for the past two seasons. On Sunday, he returned to the Smokies for his first Double-A pitching appearance since 2024 and worked four innings of two-run baseball. He earned four strikeouts, giving up two hits and two walks.

• Welcome back, Brody: McCullough struck out Dylan O'Rae on seven pitches to open the game.
• No "no-no": Karson Simas dropped a two-out single into right field in the fifth inning for the Smokies' first hit of the afternoon against Shuckers starter Manuel Rodriguez.
• First time for everything: Burke and Fischer did not overlap during their time at UT, which meant Sunday's finale was the first time the pair of former Vols homered in the same game in Knoxville. "It's cool," Fischer told Knox News. "Cool to return here and play in front of this crowd."

Smokies get a break, return home at the end of July​

The MLB All-Star break puts baseball on halt before the Smokies resume action with a three-game miniseries at Montgomery beginning Friday, July 17. Knoxville returns to Covenant Health Park for a six-game homestand July 28-August 2 against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.

Smokies record in Southern League North​

The Smokies have already clinched a playoff spot by capturing the first-half title and continue to lead the Southern League North in the second half.

1. Knoxville Smokies (11-7 second half, 49-38 overall)
2. Rocket City Trash Pandas (9-8 second half, 44-41 overall)
3. Chattanooga Lookouts (7-10 second half, 44-42 overall)
4. Birmingham Barons (6-12 second half, 32-55 overall)

Southern League South standings

1. Biloxi Shuckers (11-7 second half, 46-37 overall)
2. Columbus Clingstones (11-7 second half, 40-42 overall)
3. Pensacola Blue Wahoos (9-8 second half, 45-41 overall)
4. Montgomery Biscuits (6-11 second half, 41-45 overall)

Records reflect the standings as of 4 p.m. July 12.Trevor McGee covers the Knoxville Smokies and One Knox SC for Knox News. Email: [email protected]; X: @TrevorMcGee12

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Two former Vols homer for Shuckers, defeat Smokies for series split

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