M-Braves shutout Huntsville 3-0

PEARL, MS -- Williams Perez worked five and two-thirds innings, giving up just two hits as the Mississippi Braves defeated the Huntsville Stars 3-0 in front of 5,556 school day game fans at Trustmark Park Wednesday afternoon. The series continues with game four of five Thursday at 7:00 PM.

The Braves (6-7) scored three runs on eight hits while the Stars (8-5) managed just four hits. Gustavo Nunez, Joe Leonard and David Rohm led the M-Braves offensively with two hits apiece. Perez (1-1) held Huntsville to two hits and two walks while striking out five batters to pick up his first win of the season.

Mississippi took a 2-0 lead in the second. Kyle Kubitza and Rohm reached on back-to-back singles. Robby Hefflinger followed with a ground-rule double to right-center, plating Kubitza for the game's first run. Braeden Schlehuber then grounded out to shortstop, driving home Rohm.

The M-Braves tacked on another run in the eighth to make it 3-0. Emerson Landoni reached on a force out and Leonard singled to put runners at the corners with one out. Cedric Hunter then delivered a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing home Landoni from third.

Ryne Harper and James Hoyt both turned in scoreless relief appearances to pick up their second holds of the season. Shae Simmons (S, 4) came on in the ninth to notch his fourth save of the season. Simmons gave up a hit, walked two and recorded two strikeouts.

Taylor Jungmann (1-1) worked six frames for the Stars and took the loss. He gave up two earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four batters.

The M-Braves send right-hander J.R. Graham (0-0, 0.00) to the hill in game four of this five-game series. He'll counter Stars lefty Brent Suter (1-0, 1.64). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM Thursday evening. Gates open at 6:00 PM.

Huntsville Stars (8-5):             0 R       4 H    0 E

Mississippi Braves (6-7): 3 R       8 H    0 E

W: Williams Perez (1-1)

L: Taylor Jungmann (1-1)

S: Shae Simmons (4)

Time: 2:52