Zebulon — The Tennessee Smokeys produced when the Carolina Mudcats needed it the least in Sunday night’s ball game in Sevierville.

Popping out four homers in the final game of the first half of the season, the Smokies put an end to Carolina’s hopes of clinching a first-half post-season appearance in the 8-6 final.

Had the Mudcats (37-32) won the final game against Tennessee, it would have pinned down a one-game showdown with the Huntsville Stars in July to settle the tie with the Stars to name a first half champion.

Carolina took the 2-0 lead in the second inning on a Logan Parker RBI double followed by a single to center from the bat of Eric Eymann.

But Alexander Smit, fresh off the disabled list, gave up four runs on two home runs in the same inning, giving up the lead.

Insult to injury, Tennessee (32-38) hit a pair of solo homers in the third against relief pitcher Sean Watson, giving the Smokies the 6-2 lead.

Despite the absence of big-hitters Yonder Alonso and Juan Francisco, both out with injuries, Carolina climbed to within one run in the fifth on a double from Jose Castro, a sac-fly from Chris Heisey and a single from Todd Frazier, but the Smokies continued to hit the ball. The home team scored in both the sixth and seventh innings to hold an 8-5 lead into the final inning.

The Mudcats singled on the first two pitches of the ninth to bring the would-be tying run up to bat. But Denis Phipps was dismissed swinging and Sean Henry’s pop-up left Tennessee one out from a win. Castro managed a single to center to give the ’Cats their final run, bringing Heisey to the plate, but the game ended on Heisey’s fly ball to left field and the first half title in the North was given to Huntsville.

The Mudcats began the second half Monday night at Five County Stadium against the Jacksonville Suns.