JACKSONVILLE, FL - Powered by a perfect night at the plate from Lucas Erceg, the Biloxi Shuckers (54-40, 13-11) offensive exploded for 12 hits in an 8-3 win over the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (38-55, 10-15) on Monday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Erceg went 4-for-4 with a walk, a
JACKSONVILLE, FL - Powered by a perfect night at the plate from Lucas Erceg, the Biloxi Shuckers (54-40, 13-11) offensive exploded for 12 hits in an 8-3 win over the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (38-55, 10-15) on Monday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Erceg went 4-for-4 with a walk, a home run and an RBI in the rubber match.
The third baseman started the scoring for the Shuckers in the top of the second. Facing RHP Merandy Gonzalez (L, 1-4) with one out, Erceg shot a frozen rope over the right field fence, his 11th homer of the season and second in as many nights, putting Biloxi on the board. Luis Aviles Jr. Jr. followed with a single to right and moved to second on a Trent Grisham walk. On a fly out to right, Aviles tagged up to third, putting men on the corners with two outs. The Shuckers shortstop then stole home as part of a double steal with Grisham, baiting a throw to second then racing in to score, giving Biloxi a 2-0 advantage.
Jacksonville struck back in the bottom of the third, scoring on a hard hit ball from Monte Harrison that rifled past Erceg at third, sending Braxton Lee home from first. RHP Trey Supak (W, 1-6) finished off the inning with a pair of weak fly outs.
Each team would plate a run in the fifth, with Keston Hiura doubling in Corey Ray to put the Shuckers back out in front 3-1. After a run scored in the bottom of the fifth on an errant throw to second by Max McDowell, Supak finished off his outing with a strikeout of Peter O'Brien, stranding two base runners for the Jumbo Shrimp. The righty picked up his first Double-A win after tossing five innings and allowing just two unearned runs on four hits while walking two and striking out six.
Biloxi added a pair of runs in the top of the sixth. Erceg recorded his second hit of the night, singling to start the inning before Trent Grisham banged a ball off the right field wall, moving Erceg to third. Gonzalez uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Erceg to race in from third. McDowell then hit a sacrifice fly to right, driving in Grisham to put Biloxi in front 5-2.
The Shuckers capped their scoring by sending nine men to the plate in the seventh, including an RBI single from Jake Gatewood, another single by Erceg and an RBI double by Aviles. RHP Jon Perrin (S, 1) finished off the game for the Shuckers, tossing four innings and allowing just one run in the bottom of the ninth.
After an off day on Tuesday, the Shuckers return to MGM Park for a five-game series against the Tennessee Smokies starting Wednesday night at 6:35 PM. RHP Luis Ortiz (1-4, 4.33) toes the rubber for the Shuckers against Smokies RHP Keenan Thompson (2-1, 4.82). On All-You-Can-Eat Wednesday, $20 tickets are available for the Community Bank Terrace, which includes a game ticket and access to the Shuckers all-you-can-eat buffet.
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 strips, 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.
