Jim Goulart

Stars' pitcher Evan Anundsen, a Columbine graduate, ponders the unimaginable with Aurora shooting By Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- He was sitting in Mrs. Nelson's fifth-grade class on April 20, 1999, one of those "know exactly where you were" days. A teenage girl, wracked with tears, burst into the room, grabbed her younger sister, who was sitting next to Evan Anundsen, and bolted out. "I sat there, being a fifth-grader, and wondering what was going on," Anundsen recalled. Soon, similar shock and confusion spread throughout the community. Fifteen faculty members and students were killed, including the two gunmen, in a shooting rampage at Columbine High School, five minutes from Anundsen's elementary school in the Denver suburb of Littleton. Thirteen years and three months after the Columbine shootings, the city was rocked again by a massacre. This time, an odd-looking young man named James Holmes burst into a midnight showing of a new Batman movie in Aurora and allegedly murdered 12 and wounded 58 others. "Denver, to me, is one of the nicest places I've ever lived. It's hard to imagine something like that could happen," said Anundsen, a Huntsville Stars pitcher. He's a Denver resident who in 2006 led Columbine to the Class 5A Colorado state championship, winning MVP honors. Columbine is due south of downtown Denver, while Aurora sits to the east. Anundsen lives 30 minutes from the cineplex and has never attended a movie there, but later learned he shared a mutual friend with some people who were in the adjacent theater, one into which stray bullets had torn through the walls. Anundsen is a movie buff. He was finally able to catch "Dark Knight Rises" on a Stars road trip and confessed, "It was kind of weird, though. I had roving eyes during the movie." The Aurora shooting is "frustrating because this is the second time something this serious has happened (in the Denver area). It's hard to believe," he said. By the time Anundsen arrived at Columbine High, "I felt safe" and had "a regular high school experience." He gives much credit to principal Frank DeAngelis, "one of the nicest, kindest individuals you'll ever want to meet in your life. He's worked hard to make it a regular school." (Quick history interjection: Darrel Akerfelds, who played for the Stars in their 1985 inaugural season, also attended Columbine. Akerfelds, who had been a coach with the San Diego Padres and whose grown son lives in Aurora, died in June of pancreatic cancer at age 50.) The shooters, Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, who committed suicide, made references during the rampage and left behind writings that they were outcasts, that a jock mentality ruled Columbine. "When I went there, that was the No. 1 goal to make everybody feel the same," Anundsen said. "Nobody got special attention. It didn't matter who you were." Anundsen is one of three children, all of whom attended Columbine in the years after the shootings. But the family had friends who were impacted. Cassie Bernall, who was murdered as she prayed while hiding underneath a library table, was a youth group leader at Anundsen's church. When Anundsen was a Columbine senior, his fellow male classmates were rehearsing in the gym for the seniors' traditional satirical assembly program. "It was on April 20," he said. "That's when it hit me the most. We walked out of the gym and I saw parents of the students that were victims and they were walking around the school. It was the most eerie feeling in the world. That's when it was so realistic. "Over time, people don't think about it as much," he continued. "But every year when that date hits, it's obviously really noticeable, that people were affected by it." That date is now joined by July 20, when the unimaginable happened once again. The Huntsville Times /Robin Conn Photo Huntsville Stars pitcher Evan Anundsen http://media.al.com/huntsville-times/photo/2012/07/11369533-large.jpg *** Side Notes -- Was wondering why there were so many photos of Evan in the recent photo gallery, they were obviously for this article. Anundsen (career stats), a 4th round 2006 pick, has been in the system seven years, and is eligible for minor league free agency this fall. We've all known about the Columbine/Littleton birthplace/hometown connection, but until now, we believe this is the first time a journalist has pursued the topic with Evan in an online format available to us.

Huntsville Media Notes

STARS LOSE SECOND STRAIGHT AGAINST LOOKOUTS HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – In a game where they gave up sixteen hits, the Huntsville Stars fell to the Chattanooga Lookouts by a score of 5-3 on Tuesday night at Joe Davis Stadium. The Lookouts’ hit barrage began translating into runs in the third inning. Left fielder Nick Buss led off the frame with a single and then advanced to second on a wild pitch by Stars starting pitcher Josh Stinson. After a walk to first baseman J.T Wise, an RBI single by third baseman C.J. Retherford scored to give Chattanooga their first run. A RBI single by Buss in the fourth inning then made the score 2-0. In the bottom half the fourth, the Stars cut the Lookouts deficit in half. The inning started with back-to-back singles by second baseman Scooter Gennett and left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard. Gennett later scored on an RBI single by Hainley Statia to make it a 2-1 game. After Chattanooga came right back with two runs in the fifth inning, the Stars answered with two runs of their own in the sixth. Shortstop Jean Segura led off the inning with a single and was joined on the base paths by first baseman Hunter Morris after a two-out walk. The next-at bat, a throwing error by Lookouts shortstop Jake Lemmerman on a Statia grounder allowed both Segura and Morris to score to cut the Chatanooga lead to 4-3. Unfortunately, that was the final run that Huntsville would score. Chattanooga starting pitcher Allen Webster silenced the Stars bats, improving to 5-8 on the year after giving up just three runs (one earned) on six hits over seven innings. Reliever Steve Ames notched his second save in as many games and 13th on the season with a scoreless ninth. For Huntsville, Stinson took the loss, falling to 11-6 on the season after giving up four runs on ten hits in 4.1 innings of work. The loss was the Stars fourth in their last five games. On offense, both Segura and Kjeldgaard went 2-for-4 at the plate. Morris also hit his league-leading 34th double on the year in the second inning. Game four of a five game series will take place on Wednesday. Newly acquired starting pitcher Johnny Hellweg (5-10, 3.41 ERA with AA-Angels in 2012) is slated to make his Huntsville Stars debut on the mound. First pitch is at 6:43 PM.

Trade provides 'fresh opportunities' for newcomers to Huntsville Stars By Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Chris Hook, the Stars' pitching coach, once changed teams during his pitching career and when he arrived at his new clubhouse, the team's catcher sternly pointed at him. "It's you!" the catcher said. Hook paused a few seconds then realized, "I hit you last week." To which the catcher rolled up his shirt and showed where there was still a bruise from the pitch Hook threw. It wasn't quite the same greeting for Johnny Hellweg, one of three new Huntsville Stars, but close. He had pitched against many of the current Stars two years ago in the low-A Midwest League and in one game beaned their teammate Cutter Dykstra. Hellweg is 6-foot-9. Pretty recognizable guilty party when he arrived in the Stars' clubhouse on Sunday. Scooter Gennett, among others, brought up the memory. All is forgiven. Hellweg, fellow pitcher Ariel Pena and shortstop Jean Segura were acquired by the Brewers' organization on Friday when Milwaukee sent former Cy Young winner Zack Greinke to the Los Angeles Angels. (Such is the modern communication world that Hook first heard of the Greinke trade from his pre-teen son, who saw it on Twitter, and manager Darnell Coles learned about it from his players, who had the same source.) The welcome mat was out for the new players, though the Stars might have helped by slapping on some "Hello, My Name is..." lapel stickers. "It's weird. You've got to start new relationships," Hellweg said. "I'm still learning guys' names. I know about three guys by a first-name basis." Hellweg (5-10 at Arkansas this season) will start Wednesday against the Lookouts' uber-prospect, Zack Lee, the former LSU quarterback. Pena was the starter Monday against Chattanooga. Segura, the highest-rated minor leaguer in the Angels' system, is the Stars' new shortstop. He's already impressed with both bat and glove, and he provided a game-tying RBI that kept Pena from suffering the loss. It's a perfect opportunity for each. Milwaukee needs help at shortstop and there's nobody in the pipeline who jumps out at you. The Brewers have long offered opportunities for myriad pitchers with a healthy arms, a decent fastball and even the slightest acquaintance with the strike zone. "It's a fresh opportunity," said Coles, who was involved in four trades as a major leaguer. "Take advantage of a new situation. Be yourself," Coles would stress to the newcomers. Hellweg said the trade "was a little bit of a surprise. There was a little bit of shock there. It's starting to settle in." He confessed that it was "bittersweet. I didn't know what to think at first. But I got more and more excited every minute. "It was hard to leave but they let me know this would be a better opportunity for me, and I thought so," he said. "I'm happy to be a part of the Brew Crew." Milwaukee fans and officials "the guys in the Greinke trade," there will be a certain bit of extra recognition for Segura, Pena and Hellweg. "This puts me a little more on the radar with this organization," Hellweg said. Or, to use another gizmo, "They're under the microscope," Coles said. "It's a perfect storm for them." While Coles sent Pena and Segura to work as starters on Monday, he pressed Hellweg into service. He was sent out to coach first base. With the Stars leading the Southern League in hitting, maybe it was the best way to facilitate meeting new teammates. The Huntsville Times / Photo by Robin Conn Huntsville Stars shortstop Jean Segura (4) makes a play on a ball hit into the hole during action against the Chattanooga Lookouts http://media.al.com/huntsville-times/photo/2012/07/11369525-large.jpg

McMahan sparks Timbers Rattlers' rally against Bees by Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent staff writer GRAND CHUTE — Gators are dangerous and the one wearing No. 15 inflicted some serious damage on the Burlington Bees. University of Florida product Ben McMahan drilled a two-run triple to highlight a four-run Wisconsin fifth inning and the ex-Gator also made his presence felt in the outfield with a terrific diving catch. With McMahan providing clutch hitting and the defensive play of the game, Fond du Lac’s Chad Pierce took care of the rest with a solid mound performance in Wisconsin’s 5-3 win over visiting Burlington Tuesday night. Wisconsin (63-43) outhit Burlington 10-7 and the Timber Rattlers delivered four of them in a pivotal fifth inning which saw them erase a 3-1 deficit and take a 5-3 lead. Following run-scoring singles by Lance Roenicke and Brandon Macias, McMahan drilled a fastball by Burlington southpaw Chris Lamb into the left-center gap to give the Rattlers the lead for good. “He gave me a fastball in the middle of the plate, a little up in the zone, and just put a good swing on it,” said McMahan. McMahan, a 23rd-round selection by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2011 first-year player draft, has moved into the cleanup spot and is hitting .298 with nine homers and 50 RBI. “I hit lower in the order at Florida because we had some pretty big names,” said McMahan. “It’s definitely a fun spot to hit in because you get a lot of opportunities to drive in runs.” McMahan also stole an extra-base hit away from the Bees’ Royce Consigli in the seventh, fully extending his body in right field to snag a low line drive for the third out. Umpires originally ruled it to be a catch, then changed their minds and called it a double, before eventually going back to the original call. “I definitely caught it,” said McMahan. “It was a tough call for both umpires. I had a pretty good read on it and laid out and came up with it.” Pierce overcame a shaky start to go eight competitive innings and raise his season record to 5-3, while lowering his ERA to 3.35. The right-hander from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee scattered seven hits and struck out eight. He threw 115 pitches, 78 for strikes. Pierce allowed all three Burlington runs in the first two innings, yielding a long two-run homer in the second to Rashun Dixon. But he settled down after that with six shutout innings before Michael Strong tossed a scoreless ninth. “It was a battle,” said Pierce. “I couldn’t throw my off-speed stuff for strikes. But you don’t always have your best stuff and (catcher Rafael) Neda helped me through it.” Posters of Pierce were given away Tuesday to fans entering the gates at Fox Cities Stadium and Pierce proved to be worthy of the honor. “To pitch on the night they were giving posters of me, that was pretty special,” said Pierce. “I didn’t really know about it until my dad called me this morning and told me about it. I had some high school buddies from Fond du Lac in the stands cheering me on. I think they were a little disappointed I didn’t go out for the ninth, but I had thrown a lot of pitches.”

Rattler Radio Blog: Video Highlights *** Post-Crescent VIDEO PLAYER INTERVIEW: Timber Rattlers pitcher Chad Pierce on his strong mound performance Tuesday night *** Post-Crescent Photo Gallery

AUDIO: Helena Hitting Coach Don Money Unfortunately, the audio cuts out rather quickly on this one -- we do here SS Alfredo Rodriguez referred to as "Freddy", so he'd be F-Rod more than A-Rod.

VIDEO: Helena non-highlights

Audio from Nashville — “Getting a Read on Khris Davis” Jeff Hem's note -- Tonight’s interview is with new Sounds outfielder Khris Davis, who went 1-for-3 and scored the game-winning run last night in his first game with the Sounds. He joined the club from Double-A Huntsville where he batted .383 in 44 games, and he’s combined for a 14-game hitting streak. The reason for the “Getting the Read” portion of the title is that I learned Davis is an avid reader, not something you typically hear from baseball players (at least during the season).

Wisconsin Media Notes

Nashville Media Notes Be sure to read the Peralta statistical review...

DVR ALERT! As we like to do, here's some notice for you. This Wednesday August 1st, Time Warner Cable Sports 32 TV will broadcast the Rattlers home game vs. Burlington (Athletics) at 7:05 PM. RHP David Goforth is scheduled to get the TV time. The big leaguers have a matinee Wednesday.

To see tweets as to when the Link Report has been technically "completed" with available links, as well as to know when the new day's Report has been posted, please follow @Mass_Haas on Twitter.

STANDINGS: AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division AA - Southern League North Division High-A - Florida State League North Division A - Midwest League Western Division Rookie Advanced - Pioneer League North Division Rookie - Arizona Summer League DSL - Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris Division *** NOTE: AAA Nashville does not play a split schedule. The other leagues, including the rookie leagues, do. When you click on a standings link for Huntsville, Brevard County or Wisconsin, you'll then be able to choose 1st half and/or overall standings in addition to the current 2nd half standings.

Follow Tuesday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Nashville Huntsville Brevard County Wisconsin Helena DSL Brewers

Tuesday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Wily Peralta at home vs. Albuquerque (Dodgers), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link Jeff Hem is the new play-by-play voice of the Sounds; follow him on Twitter @jeffhempbp; we'll link to his blog updates at On the Air…and Off MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Nashville games, home and away, will be available to watch via MiLB.TV's $39.99 season-long package ($9.99 to pay for a single month). We imagine the audio feed is from the home team. All MiLB.TV details available at the link. ********** Huntsville: RHP Josh Stinson at home vs. Chattanooga (Dodgers), 6:28 PM pre-game, 6:43 gametime Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Huntsville feed from the MiLB main audio page Alex Cohen is the new play-by-play voice of the Stars; follow him on Twitter @alexmcohen. It's fantastic that Huntsville is returning to what will be a traditional broadcast format this year. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be broadcast. MiLB.TV subsciption note: Huntsville road games in four locales (Mississippi, Tennessee, Jacksonville and Pensacola) will be broadcast. ********** Brevard County: RHP Brandon Williamson at home vs. Jupiter (Marlins), 5:35 PM gametime Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Jupiter feed from the MiLB main audio page Once again this season, Brevard does not have its own audio coverage. It appears two teams in the Manatees North Division (within which the majority of games are played) have audio, and all six teams in the South Division have audio (at least for their home games), so there will be opportunities to listen to approx. 70% or Brevard's games this season, just all from the opponent's perspective. There are no Florida State League games on MiLB.TV this year. ********** Wisconsin: RHP Chad Pierce at home vs. Burlington (Athletics), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link - 1280 AM WNAM Chris Mehring is back to do his customary fantastic work as the Voice of the Rattlers. Follow him on Twitter @CMehring; we'll link to Chris' infamous blog often -- Rattler Radio. MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; Wisconsin is one of only two (Great Lakes) Midwest League clubs that have all their home games available via MiLB.TV; Chris' call provides the audio. So for the $39.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sounds games, all Timber Rattlers home games, and Stars' road games from four Southern League locales, plus one July Helena series (11th-13th). ********** Helena: RHP Tyler Wagner at Missoula (Diamondbacks), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Helena feed from the MiLB main audio page We're lucky to have Steve Wendt back on board for another H-Crew season. ********** Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): Idle ********** DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Angels, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until late afternoon at the earliest

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Huntsville Video Highlights (Pena, Morris)

More Helena video

Rattler Radio Blog: Notes from the bus ride home

Helena Video Game Highlights *** Chris McFarland photo in the detailed Helena road game story via the Missoulian *** Helena audio interviews -- RHP Chad Wagner Billing play-by-play broadcaster Ryan Schuiling 1B Adam Giacolone

'Tees edge Jupiter in 11 innings Brevard takes series opener from Hammerheads, 5-4 By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees VIERA, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the eighth inning and went on to defeat the Jupiter Hammerheads, 5-4 in 11 innings on Monday night at Space Coast Stadium. Jason Rogers tied the game with one swing of the bat in the bottom of the eighth on an 0-1 pitch that he deposited over the left center field fence for a two-run homer. Casey Medlen came in and retired Jupiter in order in the top of the ninth as the 'Tees (21-17 second half, 50-56 overall) had a chance to win it in the bottom of the frame. A one-out single by John Dishon put the winning run on base and then with Reggie Keen at the plate, Dishon took second on a wild pitch and then stole third to put the winning run 90 feet away. Keen would fly out to right field but not deep enough for Dishon to tag. Nick Shaw then stepped in and lofted a pitch to left field that looked like it may fall for the game-winning hit but Dallas Poulk made a diving catch to send the game into extras. Medlen came back out for the tenth and after getting Terrence Dayleg to fly out, Poulk singled to left and then Marcell Ozuna drew a walk to put runners on first and second with just one out. 2010 first round pick Christian Yelich then stepped in with a chance to give Jupiter (17-19, 53-53) the lead, but Medlen would get him to ground into a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat and the inning. Brevard went down in order in the bottom of the tenth and then Greg Holle came on to face the Hammerheads in the top of the 11th. After allowing Mark Canha to lead off the inning with a single, Holle would also benefit from the double play as he forced Ryan Fisher to ground into the 6-4-3 double play. Holle would then retire Jacob Realmuto to end the frame. A one-out single by Parker Berberet put the winning run on board for the 'Tees and then two batters later with two outs, Dishon walked to put runners on first and second. Keen then stepped in and worked a 3-2 count against Jupiter reliever Tyler Higgins, who was in his third inning of work. Keen would then hit a ball sharply to the hole that the shortstop Dayleg was able to get to, but Keen beat the throw that ended up in the dirt. All the meanwhile, Berberet kept on running and was able to score thanks to the Dayleg error as the Manatees won the series opener. Drew Gagnon (0-1, 3.50) got the starting nod on the hill for the 'Tees and tossed his fourth quality outing in six starts with Brevard County. Gagnon allowed three runs - two earned - on six hits, while fanning four and walking one in seven innings of work. Brevard County and Jupiter will continue their four-game set on Tuesday night beginning at 6:35 p.m. Brandon Williamson (2-8, 6.64) will toe the rubber for the Manatees, while Jose Fernandez (2-1, 3.60) will get the ball for the Hammerheads. Manatees starting pitcher Drew Gagnon did not factor into Monday's decision despite his fourth quality start in his first six outings with Brevard County. Gagnon allowed two earned runs in seven innings of work as the 'Tees defeated the Jupiter Hammerheads, 5-4 in 11 innings on Monday night. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography) http://www.milb.com/images/2012/07/31/Q8YshrBU.jpg

Photo Gallery from the Huntsville Times -- several shots of Jean Segura and Ariel Pena

Comeback Falls Short As Stars Lose to Chattanooga HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Despite a five-run comeback, the Huntsville Stars were edged out by a score of 6-5 by the Chattanooga Lookouts on Monday night. Unfortunately, the highly anticipated Brewers organizational debut of starting pitcher Ariel Pena did not start off as many had hoped. In the first inning, the newly acquired 23-year-old gave up a leadoff triple to shortstop Rafael Ynoa. Ynoa then scored on a groundout by center fielder Nick Buss to give Chattanooga the first run. Later in the inning, back-to-back doubles by right fielder Blake Smith and first baseman J.T Wise scored Smith to make the score 2-0. In the third inning, it was Wise that got the best of Pena once again. With Buss and Smith on base, the first baseman crushed a three-run home run over the left field wall to give the Lookouts a 5-0 lead. However, Pena would go on to earn a no-decision after giving up five runs in five innings as the Stars mounted a comeback to get him off the hook. Starting in the third inning, Pena walked and center fielder Josh Prince doubled to put runners at second and third with one out with Jean Segura up. The shortstop delivered an RBI single that combined with a throwing error from Chattanooga scored both runs to make the score 5-2. One inning later, a solo blast by first baseman Hunter Morris cut the Stars deficit to two. For Morris, the homer was his league-leading 20th of the season and fifth blast in the last seven games. The score remained tied until the seventh inning where the Stars finished off their comeback. After right fielder Kentrail Davis was hit by a pitch and stole second, an RBI double by left fielder Lee Haydel put the score at 5-4. Once Haydel reached third on a pinch-hit single by T.J Mittelstaedt, an RBI groundout by Segura tied up the ballgame. The comeback would not be completed though. With reliever Kyle Heckathorn on the mound for Huntsville in the ninth inning, Chattanooga third baseman C.J. Retherford hit a solo home run to left field to give the Lookouts the game-winning run. To finish off the game, Chattanooga closer Steven Ames shut the door and stranded two Stars runners in the ninth inning for his 12th save of the season. In 1.1 innings of relief, LHP Steven Rodriguez improved to 1-0 on the season. For the Stars, Heckathorn took the loss to fall to 3-10 on the year. On offense, Haydel led the way at the plate with a 4-for-4 night. The four hits for Haydel was the second time he has done that in a game this season. Game three of a five-game series will take place on Thursday as the Stars will send RHP Josh Stinson (11-5, 3.14 ERA) to toe the rubber. First pitch is at 6:43 PM.

Audio from Nashville — “Mondays with Mike (Guerrero)” Jeff Hem's note -- Here is this week’s installment of “Mondays with Mike” with Sounds manager Mike Guerrero. As you might imagine, our main topic this week was what the Sounds’ manager makes of all of the recent roster moves involving the Brewers and Sounds. As of right this second (hey, moves can happen at any time), in the past five days a total of 16 different players have been involved in a Nashville Sounds roster move. Here’s the short version: To Milwaukee from Nashville Jonathan Lucroy (after rehab assignment) Jim Henderson Mark Rogers Mike McClendon To Nashville from Milwaukee Jeff Bianchi Tyler Thornburg From Nashville to the Disabled List Dayton Buller Logan Schafer From Double-A Huntsville to Nashville Mitch Stetter Hiram Burgos Khris Davis Others Seth McClung (released) Fautino De Los Santos (to Sounds via trade) Humberto Quintero (to Sounds as free agent signee) Edwin Maysonet (activated off Temporarily Inactive List) Juan Sanchez (from Sounds to High-A Brevard County)