Wilken's Dream Debut Leads Shuckers to 11-7 Win over Biscuits
BILOXI, MS – In June, Brock Wilken was leading the Wake Forest Demon Deacons to the College World Series, three months later, a second-inning grand slam in his Double-A debut helped lead the Biloxi Shuckers (73-59, 39-24) to an 11-7, series-opening, win over the Montgomery Biscuits (76-57, 40-24) at MGM
*BILOXI, MS *– In June, Brock Wilken was leading the Wake Forest Demon Deacons to the College World Series, three months later, a second-inning grand slam in his Double-A debut helped lead the Biloxi Shuckers (73-59, 39-24) to an 11-7, series-opening, win over the Montgomery Biscuits (76-57, 40-24) at MGM Park on Tuesday night. The win turns the remaining series into a best-of-five set, with each team needing to win three of the final five games to reach the playoffs.
The Biscuits started the scoring in the first with a solo home run from Junior Caminero, his 20th Double-A homer of the year. In the second, the Biscuits got three on, but Shuckers’ starter Adam Seminaris worked around the runners with a caught stealing, flyout and a strikeout.
In the bottom of the second, after the first two batters were retired, Carlos Rodriguez and Freddy Zamora tallied base hits, putting runners at second and third. Ethan Murray then gave Biloxi the lead with a two-RBI single on a 108 MPH ground ball up the middle. After walks to Isaac Collins and Jackson Chourio, Wilken walked up for his second Double-A plate appearance. The Brewers’ 2023 first-round deposited a ball over the wall in left, giving Biloxi a 6-1 lead on his first Double-A hit, a grand slam. Wes Clarke then followed with a solo shot of his own, giving Biloxi a seven-run inning, and a six-run lead. The Shuckers added on in the fourth with an RBI single from Clarke, making it 8-1.
The Biscuits staged a comeback attempt in the fifth, scoring two on an RBI groundout from Heriberto Hernandez and an RBI single from Caminero, making it 8-3. Biloxi struck back with a solo shot from Jeferson Quero to start the fifth, extending the lead to 9-3. Montgomery added on three more in the sixth with a two-RBI double from Carson Williams and an RBI single from Hernandez, making it 9-6. The double for Williams was his first RBI hit in Double-A and marked a multi-hit game in his debut.
The Shuckers added insurance in the eighth with two runs scoring on an error from Williams at short off a 102 MPH groundball from Wilken, his third batted ball of the day with an exit velocity of 100-plus. Despite the five-run lead, Kenny Piper led off the ninth with a solo shot for the Biscuits. They then loaded the bases for the third straight inning before Ryan Middendorf induced a fielders’ choice from Junior Caminero, securing the 11-7 win. The Biscuits stranded 13 runners and the Shuckers held them to 4-16 with runners in scoring position. Zach Vennaro (5-3) earned the win while Biscuits’ starter Graeme Stinson (3-6) earned the loss. Middendorf picked up his second save of the year.
Carlos Rodriguez will start tomorrow for the Shuckers against lefty Patrick Wicklander. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at MGM Park. All military personnel can receive a $3 discount on Dugout Box and Reserved Level tickets with a valid military ID for Military Wednesday presented by Keesler Federal Credit Union. The Shuckers will also host Bark in the Park, where fans and their four-legged fans can hang out on the berm for just $8. The Shuckers will also host Happy Hour from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. at the Beer Gardens with $3 16oz draft beers.
The game can be heard on Cruisin’ WGCM 1240 AM, 100.9 FM with coverage beginning at 6:20 p.m. with the Biloxi Shuckers Pregame Show featuring the Mississippi Army National Guard Pregame Interview. The game can also be seen live on MiLB.tv.
Individual tickets, group outings, Shuck Nation memberships and Flex Plans for the 2023 Biloxi Shuckers season are available now by calling (228) 233-3465 or visiting biloxishuckers.com.
ABOUT THE BILOXI SHUCKERS:
The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Shuckers are members of the Southern League and play at MGM Park in Biloxi, Mississippi. For more information please visit biloxishuckers.com and follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.
ABOUT SHUCKERS BASEBALL, LLC:
Shuckers Baseball, LLC is a MS entity owned and operated by John Tracy. Shuckers Baseball operates the Biloxi Shuckers baseball franchise, including operating MGM Park for Biloxi Shuckers minor league baseball games and other entertainment and recreational events.