Riley Shines in 3-2 Victory Over the Blue Wahoos

PEARL, MS - The Mississippi Braves defeated the Pensacola Blue Wahoos by a final score of 3-2 on Thursday night. For Mississippi, it was their second consecutive victory against the Blue Wahoos in a two day span.
Mississippi started the game off well as starting pitcher, Wes Parsons logged a three up three down inning in the top of the first. Mississippi struck first when Luis Valenzuela scored from third base on a double by Austin Riley, giving the M-Braves an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

The M-Braves extended their lead 2-0 in the bottom of the third inning after Travis Demeritte scored from third base on a Tyler Neslony ground out.
Mississippi starter, Wes Parsons quieted the bats of the Pensacola offense during his Thursday night outing, a feat that had yet to be accomplished by any M-Braves pitcher thus far in the series. Parsons finished the night with what was by far his best outing of the 2018 season. In 4.0 innings pitched, Parsons did not allow a single hit, only walked one batter and struck out seven Blue Wahoos. Parsons' seven strikeouts are a season high for the Clarksville, TN native in 2018.
After leading off the inning with a pinch hit double, Daniel Lockhart, son of former Atlanta Braves infielder Keith Lockhart, scored the third and final run of the game for the M-Braves when Alex Jackson lifted a sacrifice fly to center field.
The Blue Wahoos would not go quietly though, as they managed to make things very interesting in the top of the eighth inning. The Blue Wahoos plated two runs in the top of the eighth and even got the game tying run aboard third base with just one out. M-Braves closer Jacob Webb cranked things up on the mound as he recorded back-to-back strikeouts to save the game and secure a 3-2 victory for the M-Braves.
Although Parsons led the way on the mound, tip your cap to the M-Braves bullpen. Devan Watts who was promoted to Double-A Mississippi from High-A Florida earlier in the day earned the win after tossing 2.0 scoreless innings of relief. Tyler Pike and Josh Graham were each credited with a hold and closer, Jacob Webb earned the save, his first of the 2018 season.
Austin Riley led the way for the M-Braves offensively. The third baseman went 3-for-3 at the plate with two doubles, a single, a RBI and a walk. The Hernando, MS native is now batting a team best .408 (20-49) on the season. Riley also leads the team with 3 home runs, two triples and 13 RBI's.
The Mississippi Braves will conclude their five game home series with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. at Trustmark Park. RHP Enderson Franco (0-0, 4.32) has been named the game five starter for Mississippi. Franco's counterpart on the mound will be Pensacola right-hander, Wyatt Strahan (1-1, 5.00).
Promotions for Friday night's game include, Friday Night Fireworks sponsored by the United States Army and WLBT 3 On Your Side. 
BOX SCORE
Pensacola (6-8) 2 4 2
Mississippi (6-8) 3 6 1   
Win: Devan Watts (1-0)
Loss: Jesús Reyes (0-2)
Save: Jacob Webb (1)
Time of Game: 2:40
Attendance: 1,663
The Mississippi Braves are the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Since the inaugural 2005 season, over 125 M-Braves have gone on to Major League Baseball. The M-Braves have made postseason play four times and went on to win the Southern League Championship in 2008. Stop by Trustmark Park or call 888-BRAVES4 Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. For the latest news and updates, visit mississippibraves.com or connect with @mbraves on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.