Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover
Tennessee Smokies third baseman Kris Bryant crushed a total of 16 roundtrippers, including four in the final round against Mobile BayBears first baseman Jonathan Griffin to win the 2014 Southern League Home Run Derby at Historic Engel Stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The slugger put on a show throughout the evening, slamming majestic shots in each of the three rounds as part of the All-Star Fan Fest event at the historic site. The 22-year-old launched eight homers in the first, each of the other five competitors, following with four in the second and final rounds. Griffin finished second in the event with 12 total big flies, including a second round-best five.
The 25-year-old advanced to the last round with nine homers over the first two rounds, while Bryant led all batters with 12 roundtrippers over the first two times at bat to face off against Griffin. Each of the six competitors were given ten outs in the first round, following by seven in the second and five in the last round. Four hitters advanced to the second round, with Chattanooga Lookouts first baseman O’Koyea Dickson and Huntsville Stars first baseman Nick Ramirez each making the final four.
Bryant is slated to start at third base and bat third for the North Division squad Tuesday evening in the 2014 Southern League All-Star Game at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, while Smokies relief pitchers Hunter Cervenka, P.J. Francescon and Armando Rivero are all available to pitch for the North. First pitch of the contest is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. and can be viewed on MiLB.TV.
James Rowe
smokiesradio
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