11

The Stars were 6-51 when trailing after six innings during the regular season and here they were behind in this game after six, 4-1. But if you know the Stars playoff history since 1985, then you know that dismal record wasn't worth much in salt.

Someone once said that statistics is the art of lying with figures. It's not so much they lie, as the simple truth they are cold. Statistics can't measure heart and desire. They couldn't measure Rocky Coyle's heart in 1985 when the Stars were down in Game 5 of their Championship Series with Charlotte. His home run in the 9th broke a 3-3 tie, and the Stars wound up taking the SL Title to Huntsville in their premiere season. They couldn't read what was inside Justin Bowles in 1997, either, when with 2 out in the 9th and a 3-2 count, he lifted a 3-run HR to rescue the Stars from playoff oblivion, leaving Mike Neill to strike the fatal blow.

This night, fate called for a new hero --- Kade Johnson.

Trailing 1-0 in the 4th, the Mudcats put together consecutive base hits --- a double to left by Josh Willingham and a home run by Chris Ashby. That put Carolina in front, 2-1.

In the 6th, an error by Corey Hart opened up the gates again. With runners on first and second and nobody out, Ashby laid a bunt down in Hart's direction. His aimless throw to first into the runner handcuffed Alejandro Machado covering first and the ball skipped up the right field line, allowing Chris Aguila, who led off the inning, to score, and Willingham to third. A fly ball to right by Chip Ambres scored Willingham.

The Stars, who stole seven bases in this game, one short of the club record, then used their speed to ignite crucial rallies in the 7th and 9th innings.

Machado reached first when Ryan Jorgensen's throw to first on a chopper in front of the plate, hit him in the back. Dave Krynzel then walked. After a stolen base by Machado, another error on a long throw to first scored Machado. J.J. Hardy's double inside the first base line scored Krynzel. The Stars edged closer, 4-3.

In the 9th, Krynzel was hit on a 2-1 pitch from Sean Fesh. After Hardy flied out, Krynzel stole second and raced to third when Jorgensen's throw night bounded into center. Brandon Gemoll's worm killer to Willingham bounced out of his glove, allowing Krynzel to score the tying run, but Willingham recovered to retire Gemoll.

The Stars had a chance to put this away in this inning. Carolina closer Mike Flannery and Franklin Gracesqui walked Noochie Varner and Brad Nelson to load the bases with two out, but Kade Johnson's short hop liner to Jesus Medrano ended the inning, making Kade's night 0-for-5. He was now 1-for-16 in the post-season.

In the 10th, Mike Kremblas led off with a broken-bat grounder was botched by Kevin Polcovich, who had played against Huntsville in the 1994 Championship Series, Carolina's 5th error on the night. Machado forced him at second, but he stole 2nd and went to third on Jorgensen's throwing error. Hardy was walked intentionally. With runners on the corners, manager Tracy Woodson called on Craig House. The Stars couldn't get a handle on his unique whiplash delivery.  He proceeded to strike out Corey Hart to end the 10th and strike out the side in the 11th.

In the top of the 12th, Ryan Jorgensen tried to make amends for a horrendous defensive showing on the night with a leadoff single to center. Drew Niles sacrificed him to second and he moved to third on Bill Hall's ground ball to the right side. For the first time since the 6th inning, the Mudcats had a runner in scoring position. Mike Adams, however, got Jesus Medrano to hit a hard grounder right to Hardy who threw him out easily.

Kade had struck out twice, grounded into a double play, and been the rally killer in the 9th. Here he was in the 12th leading off, neither team able or maybe even willing to win. Here was Kade facing Jose Cueto, a pitcher he had never faced.

Johnson went to the plate wanting to bunt. Assessing the situation, he couldn't see much room for that plan, so he didn't. He took ball one.

Stars' radio voice Robert Portnoy spoke for the fans when he wishfully announced on the air, "Kade can win this with one swing."

Meanwhile from the concourse: "Kade's about to go yard," Stars general manager Bryan Dingo prognositcated over his cell phone to assistant Cliff Pate.

Kade Johnson made a prophet out of our G.M. He lifted the Stars out of a deep hole with one big swing that everyone in the park felt. Everyone in the ballpark stood and watched the ball soar out of the park, deep to left. At the plate, KJ was mobbed by his teammates and shaken vigorously by infielder Chris Barnwell who told him before the game, "You're going to have a big at-bat sooner or later."

For both teams, this was the third straight game decided by one run.

Kade's only other game-winning homer in his career had come at the University of Texas against Oklahoma State.

Unfortunately, the Stars lost the Championship in five games, but Kade Johnson made Carolina wait for it.

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