MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Knoxville kept within striking distance of first place in the Southern League North standings by splitting a doubleheader with the Montgomery Biscuits on Wednesday and then taking Thursday’s contest with an offensive explosion.

Biscuits 10, Smokies 6

In Wednesday’s first game of the twin-bill, Montgomery built a 10-0 lead through the first five innings before Knoxville made things more interesting late in the game before dropping a 10-6 decision. Owen Ayers hit three doubles for the Smokies in a 4-for-4 day with three runs batted in.

Smokies 10, Biscuits 8

Knoxville returned the favor in game two as they were the ones to score in double figures as they downed Montgomery 10-8. The Smokies fell behind 5-3 before getting things going in the third inning when they scored four times to seize the lead. Edgar Alvarez started things off with a two-run blast and was followed by a two-run double and a Karson Simas sacrifice fly. They added three more runs in the sixth with two of those coming on an Ayers two-run bomb to right.

Smokies 14, Biscuits 5

Knoxville’s high-powered offense was still on full display in Thursday’s 14-5 smashing of the Biscuits. Ten of the runs came in the sixth and seventh innings. Jefferson Rojas and Hayden Cantrelle each drove in three runs for Knoxville and Carter Trice added two RBIs. Alex Ramirez clubbed his fifth home run of the season and Alvarez added a triple in the Smokies triumph.

The Smokies enter the remaining three games this weekend in Montgomery one game behind Chattanooga who will be next week’s opponents when the team returns to Knoxville next week.