Generals bury M-Braves with five-run fifth

Pearl, Miss. - In a battle of high-powered rifles, Jon Duplantier (2-0, 1.80 ERA) proved to be the top gun.

Striking out eight hitters across five frames, Duplantier held down the Mississippi Braves (8-13) as the Jackson Generals pushed through for a 6-1 victory at Trustmark Park on Thursday. With the victory, the Generals won their fifth straight series opener under first-year manager Shelley Duncan.
Mississippi right-hander Kyle Wright (1-3, 4.66 ERA) was strong through the first four innings, but he couldn't finish the fifth, leaving the bases loaded with two outs at the time of his departure. Former General Tyler Pike entered in his place and sank deeper in the quicksand, hitting the first man he faced with a pitch and then delivering back-to-back wild pitches that allowed runs to score. In a five-batter span that included a Matt Jones two-run single, the Generals went from tied at 1-1 to leading 6-1, effectively sealing Mississippi's fate.
Behind Duplantier, Gabe Speier, Michael Dimock, and Mason McCullough each pocketed scoreless appearances in relief. Center fielder Ben DeLuzio and second baseman Kevin Medrano both contributed full-speed, full-extension catches to help out the staff, and right fielder Jay Gonzalez knocked in a run in his first at-bat since being activated from the disabled list.
TOP PERFORMERS - Generals
RHP Jon Duplantier - 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 8 K; first professional hit in second at-bat
LHP Gabe Speier - 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
1B Matt Jones - 2-5, R, 2 RBI
3B Juniel Querecuto - 2-4, RBI
TOP PERFORMERS - Mississippi
C Tyler Flowers - 1-4, R
RF Tyler Neslony - 2-4
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
BOTTOM 2: With one out and men on the corners, Duplantier makes a throwing error on a pickoff attempt to first base, allowing Tyler Flowers to score from third base and tie the game, 1-1. Duplantier doesn't let it get to him, though, racking consecutive strikeouts to strand a runner at second and end the frame.
SCORE: JXN 1, MIS 1
TOP 5: After Jon Duplantier laces a one-out single through the left side for his first professional hit, Ben DeLuzio and Kevin Medrano follow with singles to push Duplantier to third base as the tying run. With two outs, Jamie Westbrook stays patient and works a full-count walk, and Matt Jones pokes a single up the middle that gives Jackson the lead. Westbrook's ability to extend the inning proves huge, as four more Generals get to the plate to put the game effectively out of reach.
SCORE: JXN 6, MIS 1
NEXT GAME:
7pm CT Friday (4/27) at Trustmark Park (Pearl, MS)
RHP Justin Donatella (Generals) vs. RHP Touki Toussaint (Mississippi Braves)
NEXT GENERALS HOMESTAND:
May 2-6 vs. Montgomery Biscuits, featuring Star Wars Night at The Ballpark (Saturday, May 5)
Dial 731-988-5299 for tickets to see Jackson Generals Baseball