Marriage is a Wonderful Thing...!

Enjoying Wedding Day Bliss is Mandy Rae Holliman (soon to be Winter) and Lee Michael Winter. The two will be married Friday October 19, 2007 at 7 pm at the Cadre Building in downtown Memphis Tennessee.

The two have been dating since their teenage years and have made a commitment to each other that will last a lifetime. In the mist of the wedding day preparation they are actively shopping for a new home. Just this week they've found the right one. And hopefully it all works out. They are so excited about the place and their plans to turn it into their home...! That gives me goose bumps, it pauses me into reflecting on my own marriage and the sweetheart that I fell in love with almost 30-years ago. As I've maintained for years; The greatest thing that every happened to me, happened in Sunday School for it was there that I met and fell in love my sweetheart Kelly Rae.

I know that Mandy and Lee have the exact same love for each other. It has stood the test of time through their tough teenage years and into young adulthood. As her Dad I'm so very proud of my little girl, and I'm so happy for her. She is living the dream, she's fallen in love with her "Prince Charming" and I can see it in her eye's, she really is in love..!

Turns out that her "Prince Charming" , Lee is a hard working, soon to be Electrician. For now he is well into his apprenticeship and with time, and hard work and a continued desire to achieve he will soon realize his goal of becoming a journeyman electrician. I know Lee will work hard. He has a good heart. Once you get to know him, heck you can't not but love him... He'll do his level best at making Mandy the best husband in the world and his children will know him as the big hearted-fun loving kid they call Dad. Lee learn your strengths and magnify them and don't sweat the small stuff. Being a great husband and father is probably all that really matters anyway...!

One more thought that comes to mind. With marriage comes family. That is the purpose of this life. When our Heavenly Father decides to send down those sweet innocent spirits for Mandy and Lee to raise what I know is this. Those sweet spirits will receive a great blessing. They will be given to the kindest, gentlest and most caring mother a child could ever hope for. Mandy you are that kind of person and you will be that kind of mother. I know this because I had that kind of mother, and Mandy you've been blessed with that same kind of mother and now you will have your turn. I've seen this in you everyday of her life....

And Mandy baby, what can I say..., I love you. Dad

June 21, 2007- Holliman No Hits the Stars

Copy the following link to your browser to listen to Smokies play-by-play announcer call the final out of the NO HITTER...! javascript:mp.play({w:'mms://a1272.v10869e.c10869.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1272/10869/vooo1/mlb.download.akamai.com/14668/2007/aa/ten/audio/062107_holliman_nohit.wma',type:'a_free'}) Here Are A Few Articles covering the No HITTER Tennessee's Holliman no-hits Huntsville Smokies right-hander also cranks two-run homer in 3-0 shutout

Tennessee's Mark Holliman cranked a two-run homer to help his no-hit cause offensively

• Audio: Holliman wraps up the no-no
• Thursday's box score
• Mark Holliman's player page

Mark Holliman ended a personal four-game losing streak in style, hurling a seven-inning no-hitter as Tennessee blanked visiting Huntsville, 3-0, in Thursday's doubleheader opener.

Holliman (7-5) faced one batter over the minimum in a near-perfect effort. The 23-year-old right-hander retired the first six batters, issued a leadoff walk to Adam Heether in the top of the third inning and mowed down the final 15 men he faced.

He also helped himself at the plate, smacking a two-run homer in the fifth inning.

Earlier this season, Holliman pitched eight scoreless innings on two occasions -- including a two-hit performance against Mississippi on May 19 -- but Thursday's no-no marked the first complete game of his professional career.

"I'm feeling on top of the world," said Holliman who had not pitched a no-hitter in high school or college. "As far as Little League, I don't even know if we kept stats back then."

Holliman struck out three batters and lowered his ERA to 2.49 in a game that lasted just one hour and 26 minutes. He threw 51 of 81 pitches for strikes, with his fastball topping out at 90 mph.

"I was mixing up my fastball, curveball, changeup and slider," said the University of Mississippi product, who also cranked a two-run homer in the fifth, his second of the season.

"Once I got into the fifth and sixth innings, I knew I only had a few more outs to go," Holliman said. "I didn't keep real quiet. It wasn't a no-talk situation."

Despite his laid-back demeanor, there were several near-hits that almost wiped out his gem.

"We had a couple close calls down the first-base line and third-base line," Holliman said. "It was definitely like one of those games I've always seen where guys are making plays behind you to keep things intact."

The no-hitter was the third in the brief history of Smokies Park, which opened on April 20, 2000. The first was a six-inning effort by Leo Estrella against the Orlando Rays on May 27, 2000. Nearly two years later, Rays pitcher Gerardo Garcia repaid in kind with a seven-inning no-hitter during a doubleheader.

Sam Fuld put the Smokies (38-33) on the board with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the first.

After Jorge Cortes led off the fifth with a double, Holliman connected with a first-pitch fastball and drove his dinger to left-center field.

"I'd spoken with [hitting] coach [Barbaro Garbey] before," Holliman said. "If there's a runner in scoring position, he wants us to drive him in as if we were any other player. I was just trying to do anything I could to get that run in, and luckily for me it went over the fence."

Tennessee's Gary Cates, the only player with more than one hit, went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles.

Starter Corey Thurman (2-4) took the loss for the Stars (38-33), giving up all three runs on seven hits in five innings. He didn't record a strikeout or a walk. Bo Hall allowed one hit in a scoreless inning of relief.

After the walk, Heether was forced out at second when Alcides Escobar bounced into a fielder's choice. Escobar advanced to second on a groundout by Thurman, but Mel Stocker flied out to end the inning.

Mark Holliman Throws No-Hitter
Holliman: 7 IP, 0 H, 3 K, 1 BB		By Jon Zeitz Tennessee Smokies Posted Jun 21, 2007 Sevierville, TN – Tennessee Smokies pitcher Mark Holliman no-hit the Huntsville Stars in game 1 of a double-header at Smokies Park on Thursday night as the Smokies won 3-0. An appreciative, early arriving crowd cheered Holliman (7-5) as the last batter was retired, and greeting him with a standing ovation during the post-game celebration.
Holliman was dominating from start to finish in game 1 tonight, facing just one batter more than the minimum. His only blemish on the night was a leadoff walk to Adam Heether in the third inning. Holliman fanned three batters through seven innings to notch his seventh win of the season. The no-hitter was the third ever in the history of Smokies Park since opening on April 20, 2000. Smokies pitcher Leo Estrella threw a six-inning no-hitter against the Orlando Rays on May 27, 2000. Orlando Rays pitcher Gerardo Garcia returned the favor to the Smokies on May 21, 2002, throwing a seven-inning no-hitter during a double header. Sam Fuld got the Smokies offense going early tonight with a lead off home run off Stars pitcher Corey Thurman (2-4), his second of the season, to give the Smokies a 1-0 advantage in the 1st inning. The rest of the game belonged to Holliman, as he mowed down the Stars batters one after another. For the game, Holliman threw 81 pitches, inducing twelve groundouts and six fly outs. To further help his cause, Holliman belted a two-run home run over the left field fence after a Jorge Cortes double to stake the Smokies to a 3-0 lead. He let his arm do the rest of the job. The entire Smokies team mobbed him after retiring Brenden Katin on a groundout to end the game, and tipped his cap to the fans during a post-game appreciative standing ovation. In game 2 of the double header, the Smokies completed the sweep with an impressive 4-2 victory over Huntsville. Matt Avery got the spot start for the Smokies, and pitched well in his first start after a rough beginning. Avery went three innings, giving up two runs and walking three batters. Adalberto Mendez (2-4) came in for two innings of scoreless relief to get the win, and Jim Henderson notched his fifth save as a Smokie in his return appearance after a stint in AAA Iowa. Huntsville jumped on Avery early in the 2nd game, plating two runs to take a 2-0 lead. Tennessee struck back in their half of the 1st inning with three runs of their own to regain the lead. The Smokies were aided by a couple of Stars errors in the inning, which helped score Jemel Spearman to get things going. The real damage was done by Issmael Salas with a two run single to score Casey McGehee and Jake Fox to stake the Smokies to at 3-2 lead. Tennessee never looked back after the first inning, and plated another run in the bottom of the third to go up 4-2. All in all, the Smokies touched up Stars starter Steve Hammond (3-7) for four runs, only one of which was earned. Mendez and Henderson slammed the door on the Stars offense to help Tennessee improve to 3-1 in the 2nd half of the season.

6/21/2007
HOLLIMAN THROWS NO-HITTER

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Smokies pitcher Mark Holliman no-hit the Huntsville Stars in game 1 of a double-header at Smokies Park on Thursday night as the Smokies won 3-0. An appreciative, early arriving crowd cheered Holliman (7-5) as the last batter was retired, and greeting him with a standing ovation during the post-game celebration.

Holliman was dominating from start to finish in game 1 tonight, facing just one batter more than the minimum. His only blemish on the night was a leadoff walk to Adam Heether in the third inning. Holliman fanned three batters through seven innings to notch his seventh win of the season.

The no-hitter was the third ever in the history of Smokies Park since opening on April 20, 2000. Smokies pitcher Leo Estrella threw a six-inning no-hitter against the Orlando Rays on May 27, 2000. Orlando Rays pitcher Gerardo Garcia returned the favor to the Smokies on May 21, 2002, throwing a seven-inning no-hitter during a double header.

Sam Fuld got the Smokies offense going early tonight with a lead off home run off Stars pitcher Corey Thurman (2-4), his second of the season, to give the Smokies a 1-0 advantage in the 1st inning.

The rest of the game belonged to Holliman, as he mowed down the Stars batters one after another. For the game, Holliman threw 81 pitches, inducing twelve groundouts and six fly outs. To further help his cause, Holliman belted a two-run home run over the left field fence after a Jorge Cortes double to stake the Smokies to a 3-0 lead. He let his arm do the rest of the job. The entire Smokies team mobbed him after retiring Brenden Katin on a groundout to end the game, and tipped his cap to the fans during a post-game appreciative standing ovation.

In game 2 of the double header, the Smokies completed the sweep with an impressive 4-2 victory over Huntsville. Matt Avery got the spot start for the Smokies, and pitched well in his first start after a rough beginning. Avery went three innings, giving up two runs and walking three batters. Adalberto Mendez (2-4) came in for two innings of scoreless relief to get the win, and Jim Henderson notched his fifth save as a Smokie in his return appearance after a stint in AAA Iowa.

Huntsville jumped on Avery early in the 2nd game, plating two runs to take a 2-0 lead. Tennessee struck back in their half of the 1st inning with three runs of their own to regain the lead. The Smokies were aided by a couple of Stars errors in the inning, which helped score Jemel Spearman to get things going. The real damage was done by Issmael Salas with a two run single to score Casey McGehee and Jake Fox to stake the Smokies to at 3-2 lead.

Tennessee never looked back after the first inning, and plated another run in the bottom of the third to go up 4-2. All in all, the Smokies touched up Stars starter Steve Hammond (3-7) for four runs, only one of which was earned. Mendez and Henderson slammed the door on the Stars offense to help Tennessee improve to 3-1 in the 2nd half of the season.

The Smokies will take on the Huntsville Stars again on Friday night at Smokies Park beginning at 7:15 pm. The Smokies will send left-hander Donnie Veal (4-4, 5.54) to the hill to face Stars left-hander Lindsay Gulin (4-3, 4.11).

Holliman's Heroics
Mark Holliman		By Maria M. Cornelius Posted Jun 22, 2007 KODAK, Tenn. – As the second game of a doubleheader ended with a second straight victory for Double-A Tennessee on Thursday night at Smokies Park, Cubs pitching prospect Mark Holliman was still trying to catch his breath.
Holliman (7-5) threw a no-hitter – the first for the Smokies in seven years – in the first game of the double-header, adding a two-run homer to secure a 3-0 Tennessee win over the Huntsville Stars. “I’m trying to catch my breath still,” Holliman said after the second game, a 4-2 Smokies win. “It’s been a long time since I’ve not given up any runs.” The 23-year-old did a lot more than that Thursday. Subtract a single walk, and Holliman would have had a perfect game. The 6’0 right-hander from Germantown, Tenn., who was selected by the Cubs in the third round of the 2005 draft from Ole Miss, entered the day with a 2.71 ERA and was winless in his last five starts. A few hours later, as soon as the final out – a groundout to third baseman Matt Craig – was recorded, he was being swarmed on the mound by teammates and coaches. A small crowd of less than 1,000, which swelled to more than 3,000 for the second game, witnessed the feat. Entering the seventh, nobody was bringing it up. “You just want something so bad,” Holliman said. “It’s hard to explain. You know you’ve got three outs to go. I was waiting for it to come across the infield. It’s never over ’til it’s over.” Holliman threw 51 strikes out of 81 total pitches. “That was probably the biggest key,” he said. Holliman didn’t just pitch a gem; he also hit a 350-foot shot to left-center in the fifth inning to cap the Tennessee scoring. With outfielder Jorge Cortes on second, Tennessee manager Pat Listach gave Holliman the sign to swing away although there was just one out. Anyone expecting a bunt was fooled. The ball landed well beyond the fence. “He said, ‘Go ahead and swing,’ ” Holliman recalled. “I don’t know what to say. Sometimes that happens. He (Corey Thurman) threw a fastball.” It was Holliman’s second home run of the season. His other roundtripper came just over a month ago back on May 19 at Mississippi, an outing that saw Holliman carry a no-hit bid into the sixth inning of that game. “He had his pitch and stayed with it,” Listach said. The last no-hitter thrown in the Cubs’ farm system had happened on April 20, 2005, at Class-A Peoria. That night, Cubs pitcher Sean Gallagher, Walt Nolen and Jon Hunton combined to no-hit the Cedar Rapids Kernels. “What do you say when a guy throws a no-hitter?” Listach asked. “I don’t think you can have a much better day. It was his day. He did everything he could to help himself out. He was outstanding.”

Matthew Holliman Selected ALL-Star

NAJCAA Baseball Freshmen All-Star Games-

USA Stadium Millington Tennessee

(Matthew was selected to play for the East team as a middle infielder.)-

More to come!!!

The NJCAA Baseball Coaches' Association will be sponsoring a 3-game Freshmen All Star series this summer at USA Baseball Stadium in Millington, Tennessee from June 13th through the 17 th of 2007. Actual games will be held on June 15 th and 16 th with practice days scheduled for June 13 and 14.

Players will be divided into two teams that will represent different regions of the NJCAA. The "West" team will consist of players from NJCAA member schools in Regions 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, and 24. The "East" team will be selected from schools in Regions 3, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23.

Each team will consist of 20-22 players who will be selected by the head coaches for each team - Tom Arrington of San Jacinto College in Houston, Texas and Ray Birmingham from New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, New Mexico. Players are nominated by the head coaches at their respective NJCAA colleges

NJCAA East vs. West Freshmen All Star Series Itinerary

June 13 - Selected players arrive in Millington - evening practice for both teams

June 14 - Practice for both teams with "Scout night" for professional and college scouts

June 15 - Game #1 at 7:00 PM

June 16 - Game #2 at 1:00 PM, barbecue between games, Game #3 at 7:00 PM

June 17 - players depart

Head Coaches Information

Tom Arrington - East Team head coach
San Jacinto College - 5800 Uvalde Rd. - Houston, TX 77049-4513

Ray Birmingham - West Team head coach
New Mexico Junior College - 5317 N. Lovington Hwy - Hobbs, NM 88240-9121

First Professional Home Run Hit off of Major Leaguer Lance Cormier of the Atlanta Braves

Holliman takes down Braves
May 20, 2007

Mark Holliman tossed eight shutout innings and stroked his first professional home run to lead visiting Tennessee to a 6-1 victory over Mississippi on Saturday.

It was another strong outing for the 23-year-old right-hander, who has held the opposition without a run in five of his eight starts. His performance at the plate was a different story, since Holliman was 1-for-8 entering the game.

The strong outing for Holliman (6-1) is no surprise to him, as he has five scoreless outing so far this season, but the home run - a two-run shot in the second - was certainly unexpected.

"Yeah, I guess you could say I was definitely surprised that it went out," Holliman said. "I was down in the count, 1-2, and [Mississippi starter Lance Cormier] challenged me with a fastball. All I was trying to do in that situation was put the ball in play since I was behind in the count.

"A lot of my friends and family had come down from the Memphis area and, luckily, my dad was able to get the ball."

Holliman (6-1) took a no-hitter into the sixth before Braves pitcher Francisley Bueno broke it up with a one-out single up the middle. The University of Mississippi product issued a leadoff walk to J.C. Holt in the bottom of the first, then retired the next 16 batters.

"After that walk, I definitely got into a good rhythm early on," he said. "I was doing well locating my pitches and mixing them up, but once I had that momentum going early, my confidence really kicked up and I was able to ride that for a while."

Holliman ended up allowing two hits and a walk while striking out five. He has given up one run or fewer in seven of his eight starts and leads the Southern League in wins and with a 1.17 ERA.

Geoffrey Jones came on to pitch the ninth and surrendered an unearned run on one hit with one strikeout.

Tennessee grabbed the lead in the second when Josh Kroeger hit a leadoff double and scored on Casey McGehee's single to right field. Gary Gates drove in McGehee with a single before Holliman homered.

Kroeger had two doubles and a run scored, while McGehee was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

The Braves (29-14) avoided the shutout when Brandon Jones doubled home Brent Lillibridge in the ninth.

Cormier (0-1), working his way back to the Atlanta Braves, took the loss in his first rehab start. He gave up four runs on four hits with two strikeouts in three innings. --Michael Echan/MLB.com

Vote for Holliman

5/3/2007

VOTE FOR SMOKIES' HOLLIMAN

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Smokies starting pitcher Mark Holliman is one of ten minor league pitchers nominated for Minor League Baseball’s “April’s Pitcher of the Month.” The poll, which can be found at www.milb.com, includes pitchers from all levels of the minor leagues. Holliman is the Southern League’s lone representative.

Holliman, a right-hander out of Germantown, Tenn., has been very impressive so far this season. He posted a 3-0 record in April, and currently leads all Southern League pitchers with a .033 ERA. Holliman did not give up his first earned run in the 2007 season until his fourth game, a 4-2 win against Carolina.

Smokies fans are encouraged to show their support and vote for Holliman. The ‘Fan Poll’ can be found on the bottom right-hand section of the www.milb.com home page.

CLICK HERE to vote for Holliman!

Congratulations Matthew!

Mississippi Junior College regular season champions!

Holliman's Big April

"PLAYER TO WATCH: After 26 2/3 innings, RHP Mark Holliman finally gave up his first earned run. It didn't matter, however. Holliman, 23, beat Carolina 4-2 to improve to 3-0. "That was inevitable," Holliman told the Knoxville News-Sentinel when asked about the end of his streak. In four starts, the former Ole Miss pitcher has a 0.33 ERA. "He has probably been the best pitcher in the Southern League for the month of April. What more can you say about him?" Smokies manager Pat Listach told the newspaper." SouthernLeague.com
"Mark Holliman's hot April earned him Player of the Week honors and the respect of his opponents in the Southern League." (Jerry Hale/MLB.com)

Other articles about Mark's big April:
Holliman continues stringing together scoreless innings
Smokies curl up with SL weekly awards