​Every game in the Knoxville Smokies and Biloxi Shuckers series has been decided in the sixth inning at Covenant Health Park, but Friday, July 10 brought a different kind of drama. Instead of a six-run outburst, the Smokies leaned on a go-ahead sacrifice fly by third baseman Jefferson Rojas to spark a 7-3 comeback victory over the Shuckers. That early surge was followed by insurance runs from hot-hitting catcher Owen Ayers, who delivered a two-RBI single in the eighth inning, helping Knoxville secure the win and extend their edge in the four-game set to three wins in the first four games against Biloxi.
In a moment that highlighted the Smokies’ momentum, outfielder Alex Ramirez celebrated a three-run homer earlier in the series, underscoring Knoxville’s offensive potential at Covenant Health Park. The Smokies’ bench and dugout fed off that energy, with manager Lance Rymel noting after the game, “I thought our at-bats were really good tonight. I thought we grinded them out. We were trying to get our pitch. I thought we were able to stick to our game plan.” The team’s approach paid off as Knoxville built a lead and then held it through late innings.
Biloxi’s lineup had its moments as well. Former University of Tennessee standout Blake Burke, who came into the night 0-for-11 in the series, managed a first-inning double that got the Shuckers started and finished 1-for-3 with a walk. Smokies starter Dawson Netz worked five innings, fanning five batters while allowing three earned runs on four hits. Though he was chased from the game after a comebacker to his leg caused some discomfort in the fifth, Netz remained in to finish the frame after a mound visit, showing resilience that the Smokies would lean on as the game progressed.
Ayers earned Player of the Game honors for Knoxville by finishing 3-for-5 with three RBIs from the cleanup spot, delivering the kind of productive night that makes a difference in close games. “It’s a tough lineup for other pitchers to face,” Ayers told Knox News. “It’s a lot of fun getting to be part of it.” Ayers’ performance helped stabilize the Smokies’ offense as Biloxi pressed to regain control late in the game.
The game featured a number of tense moments as Biloxi threatened to swing the momentum. Early on, Knoxville’s pitching and defense held firm, even as Netz took a hard line drive off his body from Jacob Hurtubise in the fifth inning. The impact forced a quick mound visit but did not derail Netz, who stayed in the contest and kept the Smokies within reach. In another notable sequence, the Shuckers loaded the bases in the seventh inning. Yet Evan Taylor pitched past the pressure, tagging out Matthew Wood in a critical pickle to preserve Knoxville’s slim one-run lead and keep the door open for the eighth-inning insurance runs.
Defensively, Knoxville’s infield made several standout plays that kept the game within reach. In the fifth, Shuckers second baseman Dylan O’Rae dove to his left to field a grounder off a Karson Simas at the right moment, preventing Knoxville from taking a lead in a 3-3 stalemate. Those small, crucial plays underscored the game’s tight balance and the Smokies’ willingness to grind out a win.
Looking ahead, Knoxville will host Biloxi for two more games this week at Covenant Health Park. The promotional slate surrounding those games includes a 7 p.m. start on July 11 featuring the Mascot on the Shelf Giveaway for the first 1,000 fans and a Christmas in July theme with special jerseys, followed by a Summer Fireworks Series presentation. The July 12 game is slated for a 2 p.m. start with no promotions scheduled. With the Smokies already clinching a playoff spot by capturing the first-half title and continuing to lead the Southern League, their momentum remains a focal point of this homestand as they pursue the Nor division crown and a strong postseason position.
Overall, the July 10 win showcased Knoxville’s ability to win with timely hitting, disciplined at-bats, and clutch defense and pitching when it mattered most. The go-ahead sacrifice fly from Rojas set the tone, Ayers’ late two-RBI single provided insurance, and the team’s bullpen and defense closed out a solid 7-3 win that kept them in command of the series and the standings as they forge ahead through the second half of the season.