M-Braves, Stars split doubleheader

PEARL, MS -- The Mississippi Braves walked off with a 3-2 victory over the Huntsville Stars in game one of a doubleheader but dropped game two 5-1 Tuesday night. The series continues Wednesday with an 11:00 AM contest at Trustmark Park.

 

In game one, the Braves (5-7) scored three runs on eight hits while the Stars (8-4) plated two runs on five hits. In game two, the M-Braves scored its lone run on three hits. Huntsville scored five runs on six hits. Both teams committed one error.

 

The M-Braves walked off with a 3-2 victory in game one of the doubleheader. Joe Leonard led off the bottom of the eighth with a pinch-hit double to right field. Matt Lipka reached on a bunt double, putting runners at second and third with no outs. Emerson Landoni then delivered a walk-off single to left field, lifting the M-Braves to a 3-2 victory.

 

The scoring began in the second when Huntsville took a 1-0 lead. Nick Shaw walked and scored on a Brooks Hall triple to center field. The M-Braves responded in the bottom of the frame. Seth Loman singled and scored on a Robby Hefflinger double to left field, tying the game at 1-1.

 

The Stars took a 2-1 lead in the third. Josh Prince walked and stole second and third. Jason Rogers then walked before Greg Hopkins delivered a single to center field, plating Prince.

 

In the bottom of the fifth, the M-Braves tied the game at 2-2. Elmer Reyes led off with a double to center. He took third on a sacrifice bunt by Braeden Schlehuber and later scored when Lipka bunted for a base hit. A scoreless sixth and seventh set up the decisive eighth frame.

 

Ronan Pacheco (2-0) picked up the win, working one inning. He gave up one hit and walked one batter. Keven Shackleford (1-1) surrendered the loss, giving up one earned run on three hits. He did not record an out in the eighth. In three innings pitched, Aaron Northcraft gave up two earned runs on three hits and three walks while fanning three in his 2014 debut. Ryan Weber and John Cornely each worked two scoreless innings of relief.

 

The Braves and Stars were scoreless through the first three innings of game two. Hainley Statia and Rogers both walked to start the Stars' fourth. Shawn Zarraga singled to load the bases before Mitch Haniger reached on a fielder's choice. A missed catch error by the second baseman allowed all runners to reach safely, including the game's first run. Brock Kjeldgaard followed with a two-run single through the right side to make it 3-0. Shea Vuncinich then laid down a sacrifice bunt, allowing Haniger to score and extend Huntsville's lead to 4-0.

 

The M-Braves made it a 4-1 game in the sixth. Lipka singled and Landoni walked. Lipka stole third and came in to score on a wild pitch. Huntsville added another run in the seventh on four walks to make it a 5-1 game.

 

Jason Hursh (1-1) started and went four innings for the M-Braves. He gave up four runs, two earned, on four hits and three walks while striking out three batters. Drew Gagnon (2-0) went 5.2 innings for the Stars. He limited the Braves to one earned run on three hits and four walks while striking out one batter. David Goforth (S, 4) recorded the final four outs to notch his fourth save of the season.

 

In game three of this five-game series, Braves right-hander Williams Perez (0-1, 2.08) counters Stars righty Taylor Jungmann (1-0, 3.27). First pitch is set for 11:00 AM. Gates open at 9:30 AM.

 

GAME ONE

Huntsville Stars: 2 R       5 H    0 E

Mississippi Braves: 3 R       8 H    1 E

 

W: Ronan Pacheco (2-0)

L: Kevin Shackelford (1-1)

 

Time: 2:16

 

 

GAME TWO

Huntsville Stars (8-4): 5 R 6 H    1 E

Mississippi Braves (5-7): 1 R 3 H    1 E

 

W: Drew Gagnon (2-0)

L: Jason Hursh (1-1)

S: David Goforth (4)

 

Time: 2:18

Attendance: 1,500