Entering the Southern League Championship Series this past week, the Smokies hoped the third time would be a charm after falling short in the final round each of the past two seasons.  
It turned out that wouldn’t be the case, as they continued their championship series woes by dropping the best-of-five series in four games to Mobile.
With the first two games of the series scheduled at the BayBears’ Hank Aaron Stadium, things kicked off in Mobile on Wednesday night.  After jumping out to an early lead in the first, the Smokies surrendered five runs in the bottom of the third en route to a 6-3 loss in Game 1.  Ty Wright contributed a two-run, pinch-hit home run in an effort to rally late, but the Smokies were unable to overcome the five-run deficit.
Brooks Raley and the bullpen gave the Smokies a dominating pitching effort in Game 2 on Thursday, but the offense was unable to muster a run as the game went into extra innings scoreless.  
The BayBears went on to push the winning run across in the eleventh, propelling them to a 1-0 win and 2-0 series lead as the series headed back to Smokies Park.  The Smokies took the loss despite facing the minimum through the first 10 innings.
The Smokies used their customary big inning to keep their championship hopes alive in Saturday’s Game 3, as they put up three runs in the bottom of the eighth on their way to a 4-2 win.  Nelson Perez hit a pinch-hit solo home run to tie it and Rebel Ridling drove in the winning run to put the Smokies ahead, and they cut their deficit in the series to 2-1.
It was the BayBears who used a big inning to take command in Game 4 on Sunday, as they broke the game open with four runs in the sixth.  The Smokies fought back with a three-run seventh to cut the deficit to two runs, but couldn’t draw any closer as Mobile won it 6-4 to clinch the Southern League Championship.
The title marked the BayBears’ first since 2004, when they split the championship with the Smokies.
The Smokies would like to thank all fans, sponsors, and media partners for their support throughout an excellent season, which saw the Smokies win their third straight North Division Championship.  They’ll open the 2012 season in Chattanooga on April 5, with the 2012 home opener against Jackson on April 10.

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