A Welcome Return Home As Shuckers Defeat Biscuits 6-4 In Opener

The Biloxi Shuckers (15-16) never surrendered an early lead during their Monday night return to MGM Park and halted their three-game skid with a 6-4 win over the Montgomery Biscuits (19-11). Johan Belisario continued to pitch efficiently in his new starting role and Michael O'Neill provided a crucial swing in the middle innings.
Belisario allowed just one base runner via walk over his first two innings on the hill before he was provided an early advantage. Luis Aviles Jr. drew a two-out walk in the second inning and motored around to score on an RBI triple from Cooper Hummel. Dillon Thomas extended the rally with an RBI single to give the Shuckers a 2-0 lead. 
Montgomery pressed in the third by loading the bases against Belisario but were stymied in the inning after the right hander struck out Robbie Tenerowicz looking to end the inning. Belisario struck out five on the night and was lifted after allowing a lone run in the fifth, falling an out shy of recording a decision. 
Behind their starter, the Shuckers capitalized and extended their lead on a Biscuits defensive miscue in the third. With O'Neill aboard third following a double, Weston Wilson bounced a two-out grounder to the second baseman Tenerowicz who bobbled and allowed the run to score. Patrick Leonard added in the next at bat with a double to score Wilson and give Biloxi a 4-0 cushion. 
Leading 4-1 in the fifth, O'Neill barreled a ball over the left-center field wall off Montgomery starter Josh Fleming (L,3-2). O'Neill's third homer of the season proved to be a crucial run after Montgomery scored twice in the sixth and once in the seventh. 
Out of the bullpen, left hander Daniel Brown (W, 1-0) walked Brett Sullivan and plunked Tenerowicz with an out in the sixth. Brendan McKay then reached on a fielders' choice and Brown was replaced by Aaron Kurcz. Facing Rene Pinto, Sullivan scored on a wild pitch and the Biscuits catcher proceeded to double home McKay to make it a 5-3 game. 
Thomas put Biloxi back up by three with an RBI-single in the sixth before Montgomery made another push with a Dalton Kelly solo home run in the seventh to make it 6-4. Tasked with a two-inning save opportunity, Nate Griep (S, 6) retired six batters in a row, including strikeouts of Pinto and Lowe to lock up the game.     
The Shucker continue a five-game series at home against the Montgomery Biscuits on Tuesday night at 6:35 pm. RHP Trey Supak (2-1, 2.20) is scheduled to start for the Shuckers against Biscuits RHP Riley O'Brien (NR). On T-Shirt Tuesday presented Allwell, the first 250 fans through the gates at MGM Park will receive a Shuckers themed 'Friends' T-shirt. The game can be heard locally in Biloxi on Cruisin' WGCM AM 1240/100.9 FM, TuneIn Radio or the MiLB First Pitch App and can be seen on MiLB.TV. Fans can save $10 off their subscription when they use the promo code 'Shuckers' at checkout.
Full Season Shuck Nation memberships, Weekender Shuck Nation memberships and Group Outings for the 2019 Biloxi Shuckers season are on sale now and are available for purchase by calling 228-233-3465, online at biloxishuckers.com or by visiting the MGM Park front office. Biloxi will host the 2019 Southern League All-Star Festivities, with a Home Run Derby on Monday, June 17 and the All-Star Game at 6:35 pm on Tuesday, June 18 at MGM Park. Tickets for 2019 All-Star Events are on sale now.
ABOUT THE BILOXI SHUCKERS:
The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Shuckers play at MGM Park in Biloxi, Mississippi and will host the 2019 Southern League All-Star Game on June 18. For more information please visit biloxishuckers.com and follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.