Ian Mejia tosses the fifth no-hitter in M-Braves history in game two of Friday night's doubleheader

PEARL, MS (May 17, 2024) — Ian Mejia (W, 4-0) capped off Friday night's doubleheader against the Biloxi Shuckers with the fifth no-hitter in Mississippi Braves history in a 2-0 victory in the second game of a twin bill at Trustmark Park. The 24-year-old right-hander hasn't allowed a run over his last 22.1 innings and lowered his league-best ERA to 1.69. Mejia also set a new career high by striking out 11 batters in the seven-inning no-hitter.

Playing their second doubleheader in three days, the M-Braves (15-22) split the two games on Friday, dropping the first game 3-1 in eight innings. Mississippi has won four of its last five games and leads the series 3-1 over the Shuckers.

Mejia struck out five of the first six batters and retired 13 in a row until issuing a fifth-inning walk to Darrien Miller. In the seventh inning, Mejia got Mike Boeve to ground out but issued his second walk to Brock Wilken. Carlos Rodriguez hit a line drive to left that was caught by Geraldo Quintero for the second out. Miller was hit by a Mejia pitch to place the tying run on base. Lamar Sparks was Biloxi's last chance, and Mejia registered his 11th strikeout to end the game.

The M-Braves gave Mejia a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning. Nacho Alvarez Jr. reached on a walk to begin the frame, and then Quintero walked with two outs. On the walk, Alvarez attempted to steal second base on the pitch and ended up on third base. Quintero re-took the team lead with his 15th steal, immediately putting two runners in scoring position. Javier Valdes lined a two-out single into center field, and Alvarez and Quintero scored.

The no-hitter by Mejia was the first in a doubleheader game, and the second individual no-hitter in club history. The last and only other one came from Tommy Hanson on June 25, 2008, against Birmingham at Trustmark Park. The other three were combined no-hitters.

Mejia is 3-0 in the month of May and hasn't allowed a run since his April 28 start at Montgomery. Atlanta's 11th-round selection in 2022 out of New Mexico State now leads the Southern League with 54 strikeouts, a 1.69 ERA, and 42.2 innings pitched. The M-Braves also improved to 7-1 in his starts.

In game one, the M-Braves jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third inning on the first home run of the season from Bryson Horne. His 403-foot shot to right was the second long ball in the series for Mississippi.

JJ Niekro made his seventh start and worked 4.2 innings of one-run ball, scattering five hits while walking two and striking out three in a no-decision. Anthony Vizcaya took over for Niekro in the fifth, inheriting two runners on base. The Shuckers (17-20) took advantage of a Vizcaya wild pitch to tie the game at 1-1.

A game went to extra innings for the second time in the series. The Shuckers plated two runs in the top of the eighth inning against M-Braves reliever Jorge Juan (L, 0-2), and Biloxi held Mississippi off the board in the bottom half.

The M-Braves mustered two hits in each game, but it was enough to split the series. Over the first four games in the series with Biloxi, Mississippi, starters have given up just two runs in 25.2 innings, 31 strikeouts to five walks.

The M-Braves and Shuckers will play game five of the six-game set on Saturday night at Trustmark Park. The first pitch is set for 6:05 pm with LHP Luis De Avila (0-5, 5.29) starting for Mississippi against RHP Jacob Misirowski (0-0, 2.63) for Biloxi. Coverage begins at 5:50 on 102.1 The Box, Bally Live, and MiLB.tv.

After Saturday night's game, another exciting Post-Game Fireworks show will be themed to your favorite Elvis music! Come early to hear an Elvis impersonator who will make a special guest appearance at Trustmark Park! It's also Madison County Community Night. For tickets and information on the latest promotions, visit mississippibraves.com.