M-Braves open 15th season at Trustmark Park with a bang on Wednesday

PEARL, MS - The Mississippi Braves opened their 15th season at Trustmark Park on Wednesday night with a 9-4 victory over the Mobile BayBears. The 3,251 fans were treated to not only a great fireworks show after the game, but a 10-hit outburst and five-run fifth inning to earn their second win on the year. 

Cristian Pache  produced four runs and finished 2-for-4 on the night. Four of his six hits this season have gone for extra bases. Drew Waters  and CJ Alexander  joined Pache with two hits each as the top three batters combined to go 6-for-13 with eight RBI on Wednesday night. Six of the eight RBI's coming with two outs. 

Tucker Davidson  made his Double-A debut and took a no-decision, working 4.0 innings while walking four and striking out four, not allowing a hit. Davidson walked the bases loaded in the first inning, but struck out the side to get out of the jam. 

Mobile touched the scoreboard first against the M-Braves bullpen in the fifth inning by bringing home three runs. Jack Kruger doubled home a pair against Jonathan Aro and then Jhoan Urena brought in another to make it 3-0 BayBears. 

The Braves answered in a major way in the bottom of the inning and sent nine hitters to the plate. Alejandro Salazar , Ray-Patrick Didder  and Luis Valenzuela  started with singles against Mobile starter Jesus Castillo (L, 0-1). Castillo had retired the last ten consecutive batters entering the inning. Castillo induced a pair of force outs at the plate to keep the bases loaded. With two outs, Waters got the Braves on the board with a two-run single to right and Pache followed with a two-run double to left giving Mississippi the lead. Alexander tacked on another two-out RBI to push the lead to 5-3. 

Mobile trimmed the lead to 5-4 in the seventh, but the Braves answered with two more runs in the bottom of the seventh on sacrifice flies from Pache and Andy Wilkins . 

Waters reached on an error in the eighth and another run scored and Pache notched his fourth RBI with a single to make the score, 9-4. 

M-Braves reliever Ben Rowen  (W, 1-0) earned his first win for the Braves, while Josh Graham  and Jason Creasy added scoreless frames out of the 'pen. 

The M-Braves will go for their second straight win on Thursday night in game two of the five-game set at Trustmark Park. RHP Ian Anderson  makes the start for the Braves against RHP Jeremy Beasley for Mobile. First pitch is set for 6:35 pm with coverage beginning at 6:20 pm on 103.9 WYAB and the TuneIn Radio app. 

Thursday's Promotions: 
* Thirsty Thursday - Enjoy 16 oz domestic beer and 16 oz fountain drinks for just $2 each! 
* M-Braves Cornhole Tournaments - Join us on Thursday's this season for M-Braves Cornhole Tournaments presented by Central MS Cornhole & Good Times! Every Thirsty Thursday at Trustmark Park (13 of them) we'll have competitive tournaments outside the Farm Bureau Grill on the right-field concourse starting at 6:00 pm. Great cash & prizes to winners! $5 entry per player.

For tickets visit mississippibraves.com/tickets or call 888-BRAVES4!