M-Braves pound out 13 hits, but drop season opener to Wahoos, 8-6

PENSACOLA, FL — The Mississippi Braves began the 2024 season on Friday night with an 8-6 loss to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The M-Braves out-hit Pensacola 13-11, and all nine starters recorded at least one hit in the loss.

Atlanta's No. 11 prospect, Drake Baldwin, went 3-for-5 on Opening Night, driving in three runs. Baldwin opened the scoring in the top of the first inning with a single scoring Cody Milligan. The first four batters reached base safely, including three straight singles from Nacho Alvarez Jr., Baldwin, and Keshawn Ogans. Milligan reached base three times with his first of two walks in the first inning. Alvarez, Atlanta's No. 8 prospect, was 2-for-4 with a double, RBI, and run scored in his Double-A debut.

Pensacola's Jacob Berry tied the game at 1-1 with a solo homer in the first. The run-swapping continued, with the M-Braves taking a 3-1 lead in the top of the second. Justin Dean opened the frame with a single, then back-to-back doubles by Milligan and Alvarez put the M-Braves up 3-1.

Former Mississippi State All-American Tanner Allen started his best night at the Double-A level by capping off the Wahoos' three-run second inning with a two-run double, putting the Marlins affiliate up for the first time, 4-3.

Mississippi tied the game back up in the fourth inning on the second RBI of the game from Baldwin. He scored Dean, who opened the frame with a single. Cody Morrisette answered the run with a solo homer in the bottom half to go up 5-4.

Again, the M-Braves tied the game up in the fifth. Dean hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Bryson Horne. The Mauldin, SC native was playing in his 233rd game on Friday and was 2-for-3 with an RBI, three runs, and two stolen bases.

Pensacola took the lead for good in the bottom of the inning, plating a pair of runs on a two-run single by Allen.

Trailing 7-5 in the eighth, Baldwin notched his third RBI of the night with a single scoring Dean to trim the lead to one. Pensacola would add one more run for insurance in the bottom of the frame to finish the 8-6 night.

M-Braves starter Ian Mejia made his Double-A debut and gave up four runs on four hits over 1.2 innings. Trey Riley was the most impressive of the five hurlers used, striking out two over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Pensacola starter Evan Fitterer did not factor into the decision, surrendering five runs on 10 hits over 4.1 innings. Pensacola reliever Angel Macuare (W, 1-0) secured the win, while Drew Parrish (L, 0-1) suffered the loss.

The M-Braves logged four stolen bases on Friday night, but despite the 13 hits, stranded 12 runners on base. In Opening Day games, Mississippi dropped to 4-15, including a fifth-straight opening loss.

The M-Braves and Blue Wahoos meet for game two of the three-game opening series on Saturday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The first pitch is set for 6:05 pm with coverage on 102.1 The Box, MiLB.tv, and Bally Live. LHP Luis De Avila makes the start for Mississippi against Blue Wahoos RHP MD Johnson.

The M-Braves will open their 20th and final year at Trustmark Park on Tuesday, April 9, at 6:05 pm against the Biloxi Shuckers. Fans can get their tickets at mississippibraves.com.