JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp right fielder John Norwood hit a walk-off home run - his second in three weeks - in the ninth inning for a 4-3 win over the Mississippi Braves in front of 7,494 - of which the first 1,000 received the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Jumbo
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp right fielder John Norwood hit a walk-off home run - his second in three weeks - in the ninth inning for a 4-3 win over the Mississippi Braves in front of 7,494 - of which the first 1,000 received the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp cap - on Saturday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
Navy Mutual MVP of the Game - May 20, 2017
On the day his alma mater, Jacksonville University, clinched its first ASUN baseball regular season title in 11 years, Jumbo Shrimp left-hander Matt Tomshaw pitched six innings for the fourth time in five starts. Mississippi (22-21) took a second-inning lead on three straight two-outs singles, capped by pitcher Wes Parsons' RBI single. Tomshaw retired the next seven in a row before a fifth-inning leadoff single by center fielder Connor Lien, who scored on third baseman Luis Valenzuela's RBI double for a 2-0 Braves lead. Tomshaw allowed two earned runs on seven hits and one walk with six strikeouts.
Jax Jumbo Shrimp Highlights - May 20, 2017
Parsons retired 17 Jumbo Shrimp in order after a first-inning leadoff single by shortstop Alex Yarbrough, who also snapped the string with a sixth-inning, two-out triple to center field. It ended Parsons' outing and sparked a go-ahead rally for the Jumbo Shrimp (17-26). Right-hander Chad Sobotka entered and walked second baseman David Vidal, before third baseman Brian Anderson grounded an RBI single into center field. First baseman Cal Towey then drove a two-run double to right-center field for a 3-2 Jacksonville lead.
Randy Ready Postgame vs. Mississippi 5/20/17
Jumbo Shrimp right-hander Severino González kept the lead for two perfect innings, and right-hander Andy Beltre held it until two outs in the top of the ninth inning, when Lien drove a game-tying solo home run to the left-field berm.
After Braves relievers had retired nine batters in a row - including five straight strikeouts by left-hander Jesse Biddle - to come within an out of extra innings in a 3-3 tie, Norwood drilled Biddle's two-out, 3-1 pitch over the left-field ribbon board for Jacksonville's second straight walk-off win over Missisippi and fourth straight home win that has been a walk-off hit.
UP NEXT: The Jumbo Shrimp continue their series with Mississippi at 3:05 p.m. Sunday, when Jacksonville left-hander Mike Kickham (0-3) is scheduled to face Braves right-hander Matt Withrow (0-1). Gates open at 2 p.m. for Evan's Hope to Strike Out ALS, a fundraiser by Evan Yegelwel and the ALS Association Florida Chapter. It is a Baptist Health Sunday Family FUNday, when families can play catch on the field before the game, and kids 12 and under can run the bases after the game. FREE face painting and balloon animals will be on the concourse, and a Minions Character will meet fans. Youth Sports Day includes youth sports teams in a pregame parade on the field. The game is also presented by Channel 4 The Local Station.
ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are beginning a new era of affordable family fun with the 2017 season presented by Community First Credit Union at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. With a new lineup of ticket and group options, there is a reason for everyone to get part of the action by calling the Jumbo Shrimp at (904) 358-2846 or visiting www.jaxshrimp.com.
