Smokies earn win, honor Dolly in final home series opener before playoffs
The Knoxville Smokies honored Dolly Parton on Tuesday and defeated the Chattanooga Lookouts 12-3 at Covenant Health Park after two weeks on the road.
On September 1, the Knoxville Smokies secured a 12-3 victory over the Chattanooga Lookouts at Covenant Health Park, honoring country music legend Dolly Parton who had passed away on August 25 at age 80. The tribute featured a moment of silence before the game and a pregame video of Parton singing "I Will Always Love You." Smokies manager Lance Rymel expressed his team's respect for the Queen of Country Music as they "won another one for Dolly."
Pitcher Kevin Valdez retired the first 11 batters before handing a four-pitch walk in the fourth inning. Left fielder Carter Trice followed with a three-run homer in the bottom of the fourth. Coming back to strengthen the lead, Karson Simas delivered a bases-clearing triple in the bottom of the sixth inning, putting the Smokies ahead 7-2.
The bases-clearing hit from Alex Ramirez in the eighth inning sealed the win. Smokies tied their season high with 11 walks in the game and accumulated a total of seven hits. The Smokies are currently 1-0 in the series and have already clinched a playoff spot, leading the Southern League North.
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