Braves, Shuckers Split Doubleheader

BILOXI, MS - A line of severe thunderstorms moved across the Mississippi Gulf Coast Saturday night forcing a Sunday afternoon double header to conclude Braves/Shuckers first series of 2018.
It took Mississippi (4-6) five games on the road, a rain out and the second game of a double header in to finally pick up that elusive first victory outside of Trustmark Park. The win by the Braves also ending the eight-game winning streak by Biloxi (8-2). Biloxi won game one 7-4 before being shut out by Mississippi in game two 3-0.

The Shuckers wasted no time in Game 1 putting up five runs on six sending nine batters to plate in their half of the 1st inning. Corey Ray and Troy Stokes, Jr. each doubled to lead off the inning. Then singles by Lucas Erceg and Nick Franklin kept things going. After a sacrifice fly by Jake Gatewood the hits starting again. Trent Grisham singled followed by a double by Tyler Heineman. Jake Hager hit a sacrifice fly and then finally pitcher, Thomas Jankins grounded out to second to end the inning.
The Braves battled back by scoring in the second and third innings to close the gap to three runs. In the 2nd, Tyler Neslony doubled to lead off, advanced to second on a groundout by Tyler Marlette and scored on a wild pitch. Michael Reed doubled to lead off the 3rd and scored on Alay Lago's single.
Biloxi plated two more runs in the bottom of the 3rd when Grisham led off with a single and scored on Heineman's two-run homer over the left field wall making the score 7-2 after three.
Mississippi scored another run in the 4th inning when Connor Lien hit a two-out double to left field and scored on Cleuluis Rondon's single.
The Braves picked up an unearned run in the top of the 7th as Travis Demeritte, who reached on a walk and advanced to second on Lago's walk, scored on Wendell Rijo's fielding error off the bat of Tyler Neslony.
Three pitchers threw for the Braves with Ricardo Sánchez starting and pitching the first two innings, Michael Mader threw the third and Corbin Clouse threw the final three frames. Sanchez gave up five runs on seven hits with one walk. Mader allowed two runs on three hits with one walk and Clouse shut out the Shuckers over the final three innings allowing one hit, walking one and striking out three.
Thomas Jankins pitched six strong innings for Biloxi scattering 10 hits giving up three runs on no walks with six strikeouts. Josh Uhen pitched the final frame allowing one unearned run on two walks and three strikeouts.
In Game 2, Mississippi got on the board first when Mike Snyder led off the second inning with a triple to right center and Travis Demeritte followed that with a monster home run over the scoreboard in left field. The Braves led 2-0 and never looked back.
In the fifth inning, Michael Reed drew a walk to lead off and later scored on a fielding error by right fielder, Grisham on Alex Jackson's single down the line stretching the lead to 3-0.
In spite of a great performance, Wes Parsons did not score the win as he only pitched four innings. He shut out the Shuckers allowing only three hits with one walk and one strikeout. Jacob Webb picked up the win giving up only one hit in one inning of work. Adam McCreery and Josh Graham pitched one inning each picking up a Hold and a Save respectively.
Mississippi returns home to Trustmark Park­ to begin a five-game series against Pensacola on Monday night with a first pitch at 7:00 CT. The Braves will send RHP Kyle Wright (0-1, 0.00) to the mound and the Blue Wahoos counter with RHP Daniel Wright (1-1, 9.00).
GAME 1
Mississippi (3-6)       4      10   0
Biloxi (8-1)                     7      11   1
Win: Thomas Jankins (2-0)
Loss: Ricardo Sanchez (0-2)
Save: None
Time: 2:12
GAME 2
Mississippi (4-6)       3      8      0
Biloxi (8-2)                     0      5      1
Win: Jacob Webb (1-0)
Loss: Brad Kuntz (0-1)
Hold: Adam McCreery (2)
Save: Josh Graham (2)
Time: 2:06
Attendance: 2,154