JACKSON, TN - A nine-run top of the ninth inning salted away a 15-7 victory for the Biloxi Shuckers (61-43, 20-14) over the Jackson Generals (56-47, 17-18) on Friday night at the Ballpark at Jackson. Their 15 runs tie a franchise record for runs scored in a game. Like they did on
JACKSON, TN - A nine-run top of the ninth inning salted away a 15-7 victory for the Biloxi Shuckers (61-43, 20-14) over the Jackson Generals (56-47, 17-18) on Friday night at the Ballpark at Jackson. Their 15 runs tie a franchise record for runs scored in a game.
Like they did on Thursday night, Biloxi scored in the top of the first inning. Troy Stokes Jr. legged out an infield single and moved to second on a single by Keston Hiura. Lucas Erceg drove in Stokes with an opposite field single, but was caught in a rundown as Hiura advanced to third. RHP Ryan Atkinson uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Hiura to race in and put the Shuckers up 2-0.
Jackson plated a run in the bottom of the second on a sacrifice fly from Marty Herum. The Generals went in front in the bottom of the fourth after RHP Marcos Diplan issued four walks and allowed a two-RBI single to Atkinson, putting Jackson up 4-2. RHP Josh Uhen entered the game with the bases loaded and induced a weak flair back to the mound, stranding the bases loaded.
The Shuckers tied the game in the top of the sixth thanks to the bottom of the lineup. Clint Coulter doubled with one out and Trent Grisham followed with a walk, putting two men on base for Max McDowell. The catcher singled into centerfield, sending Coulter home to bring the Shuckers within one. Pinch hitter Blake Allemand then singled to left, scoring Grisham to knot the contest at four all. McDowell finished the night 3-for-4 with an RBI, a walk, a run scored and a stolen base.
As they've done all season, Biloxi went in front in the eighth inning. Grisham drew a one-out walk against RHP Wei-Cheih Huang (L, 2-1), bringing Luis Aviles Jr. Jr. to the plate. The Shuckers shortstop walloped a two-run blast over the left field wall, his third of the season and second of the series, to put Biloxi in front 6-4. This season, the Shuckers have outscored their opponents 62-34 in the eighth.
RHP Jon Olczak (W, 6-3) preserved the lead for the Shuckers, tossing two perfect innings with a strikeout. RHP Jon Perrin also hurled a perfect inning in the win.
Facing RHP Brian Ellington in the top of the ninth, the Shuckers used just four hits to score nine runs. Corey Ray walked and Stokes was hit by a pitch, putting two men on for Erceg, who cranked a three-run bomb over the right field wall, his 12th of the season, making it 9-4 Biloxi. Ellington then loaded the bases when he hit two batters and walked a pair, also allowing a run to score on a wild pitch. Catcher Jose Queliz came in to finish the game for the Generals, and Ray greeted him with a grand slam to right, his league-leading 21st homer of the season. Stokes walked and Hiura singled, bringing Erceg to the plate for a second time. The third baseman stroked a single to left, capping his night with another RBI. All told, Erceg went 3-for-6 with a home run and five RBI, the third five-RBI game of the season for a Shuckers player.
The Shuckers now travel to Pensacola to start a five-game series with the Blue Wahoos on Saturday night at 6:05 PM. Biloxi is scheduled to send RHP Trey Supak (1-6, 3.93) to the mound against Blue Wahoos LHP Seth Varner (5-1, 2.40). The game can be heard locally on Cruisin' WGCM AM 1240/FM 100.9, TuneIn Radio or the MiLB First Pitch App.
Single game tickets for the Biloxi Shuckers 2018 season can be purchased at the MGM Park box office or over the phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Playoff tickets, half-season tickets, flex plans and group outings are also available and can be reserved by calling 228-233-3465 or visiting www.biloxishuckers.com.
