Lugbauer Hits 12th Homer in 8-2 Loss to Biloxi 

PEARL, MS – Drew Lugbauer hit his 12th home run to take the league lead, but the Mississippi Braves (25-28) fell 8-2 to the Biloxi Shuckers (28-26) on Thursday night at Trustmark Park.

The M-Braves scored first. Andrew Moritz lined an RBI single into left field to give the M-Braves a 1-0 lead in the second inning.

RHP Scott Blewett allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings, taking the loss. The right-hander retired nine of the first 10 batters, and he retired the first two batters in the fifth. However, the Shuckers started a rally and chased Blewett out of the game. Biloxi scored five runs in the inning, two of which were charged to Blewett. The 27-year-old struck out seven with two walks in his start.

The Shuckers led 6-2 through six innings.

Lugbauer smashed a 115 mile per hour home run over the batter’s eye in the sixth inning, his 12th of the season. The first baseman now leads the league in home runs, slugging, and OPS. Lugbauer went 2-for-3 with a home run, a single, an RBI and a walk.

The M-Braves loaded the bases in the seventh but came up empty. The M-Braves left nine runners on base in the game.

Justin Dean extended his on-base streak to 11 games, going 1-for-4 with a walk.

Biloxi added a run in the seventh and the eighth to ensure the 8-2 win.

The fourth game of the series is on Friday at Trustmark Park. LHP Luis De Avila (2-4, 3.35) will make the start for Mississippi while a starter to be named will pitch for Biloxi. The first pitch is at 6:35 pm CT, with coverage starting 15 minutes before on 102.1 The Box, First Pitch App, and Bally Live.