Mudcats again clutch

Published in Sports on June 15, 2007 1:47 PM

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ZEBULON -- Carolina claimed its second consecutive walk-off win against Southern League rival Chattanooga on Thursday evening.

Shortstop Rex Rundgren supplied the game-winning, two-out double in the 11th inning as the Mudcats edged the Lookouts 4-3 on the Five County Stadium diamond. Carolina (26-41 overall) picked up their fifth consecutive victory.

Rundgren, who was gunned down at home to send the game into extra innings, ended the night with three hits -- including two doubles.

Carolina took the lead in the third inning with a pair of runs.

Starter Gaby Hernandez protected the 2-0 lead by retiring the first eight Lookout batters in order. But Chattanooga pressured Hernandez in the sixth and tied the game on Jay Garthwaite's two-out, two-RBI double.

The Mudcats threatened in the seventh with runners on the corner with two outs. Mudcats manager Brandon Hyde sent pinch-hitter Vince Harrison to the plate with catcher Brett Hayes at third. Lookouts reliever Rick Asadorian threw a wild pitch which scored Hayes.

Tony Guiterrez tied the game at 3-3 with a solo homer in the eighth.

Mudcats reliever Craig Molldrem (3-2) picked up the win, going two innings of no hit baseball. Chattanooga's Justin Mallett fell to 2-5 on the mound.

The teams continue their series tonight. Game time is 7:15 p.m.