Biscuits return to Southern League Finals

Reid Brignac doesn't consider himself a clutch hitter, but he helped defending champion Montgomery advance to the Southern League Finals on Sunday.

Brignac cranked a go-ahead RBI single and plated two more runs as the Biscuits topped Mississippi, 12-5.

"I don't know if I'm a clutch hitter yet, but I've come through clutch for my team," Brignac said.

"We never let up. Our pitching was outstanding," he added. "Everybody else in our lineup just picked it up and swung the bats really well."

The 21-year-old shortstop, who went 3-for-3 and scored twice, lined a two-run single in the fourth inning and ripped an RBI double to spark a seven-run sixth.

Chris Nowak followed with a two-run double, Gabriel Martinez lifted a sacrifice fly and Erold Andrus capped the outburst with a three-run homer for the Biscuits.

"It was an all-around team effort. Everyone pitched in," Brignac said.

John Jaso also blasted a three-run shot in the first for Montgomery.

Biscuits starter Mike Prochaska (1-0) yielded three runs on nine hits and two walks with five strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings for the win. Evan Meek allowed two runs on three hits while fanning four over 2 1/3 frames, and Brian Henderson struck out one in a perfect ninth to seal the victory in the best-of-5 series.

"I was just overwhelmed," said Brignac, who was also with the Biscuits when they advanced last season. "It's good to do it with the guys I've been playing with for awhile."

Montgomery swept Jacksonville in the 2006 Division Finals and went on to claim the crown in four games over Huntsville.

"It's still the same atmosphere," Brignac added. "The Biscuits' fans are unbelievable."

The Biscuits won Game 1 in Mississippi after Brignac plated the eventual winning run in the ninth. After dropping the second contest, 8-3, they took the next two at home, with Josh Arhart delivering a walk-off single in the 11th Saturday.

"We just wanted to come out and play a little bit better," Brignac said.

Clint Sammons opened the third with a homer to left field and Diory Hernandez and Mark Jurich stroked RBI singles to knot the score, 3-3, for the Braves. Van Pope smacked a two-run single in the eighth.

Mississippi starter Kelvin Villa (0-1) surrendered five runs on seven hits and six walks while fanning three over 4 1/3 innings.