Friday Night Split - Shuckers and M-Braves Each Win One in DH

The Biloxi Shuckers (3-7) split their doubleheader against the Mississippi Braves (4-6) on Friday night, winning Game One 3-2 and dropping Game Two 2-0.

Game One

RHP Bowden Francis (W, 2-0) took the mound for the Shuckers in Game One and came out firing, striking out five and allowing just one hit through his first three innings. He was matched by M-Braves’ RHP Victor Vodnik (L, 0-1), who struck out seven Shuckers hitters through his first three frames of work.

Francis’ lone blemish through his first five innings of work came in the fourth when he allowed a solo home run to Shea Langaliers, his third of the season, to put Mississippi up 1-0. In the home half of the frame, Jamie Westbrook and Luis Castro both singled and Chad Spanberger worked a walk to load the bases. Ryan Aguilar drew a free pass against Vodnik, forcing in the tying run before David Fry doubled to left, plating two runs to put the Shuckers ahead 3-2.

In the top of the sixth, Justin Dean led off with a double and scored on a single by Trey Harris, pulling the M-Braves within a run at 3-2. Francis departed and Peter Strzelecki (H,1) recorded the next two outs to halt the threat by Mississippi. RHP Jake Cousins (S,2) came on for a second straight night and locked down the save, allowing just a two-out single to Wendell Rijo.

Game Two

Starting his first game as a professional, Shuckers’ RHP Lucas Erceg (0-1) faced just four batters in the first inning but ran into trouble in the second, walking two and allowing C.J. Alexander to advance to third on a wild pitch. LHP Cody Beckman replaced Erceg with runners on the corners and two gone in the top of the second but was unable to keep the game scoreless as a Jalen Miller sacrifice fly put the M-Braves up 1-0.

Biloxi’s best chance to score came in the top of the fourth inning. Castro and Spanberger notched back-to-back singles to start the inning, putting men on the edges with no outs. After striking out Alexander Palma, M-Braves’ starter RHP Odalvi Javier departed and RHP Sean McLaughlin (W, 1-0) retired the next two hitters in order, stranding both runners.

Tyler Neslony hit a solo home run to lead off the sixth inning for Mississippi giving the M-Braves a bit of breathing room. The only Shuckers batter to reach in the final two innings was Jamie Westbrook who singled to lead off the sixth. RHP Josh Graham (S, 1) stymied the Shuckers offense after that, striking out two as he retired the final six batters to record his first save of the year.

Biloxi’s home stand continues against the M-Braves on Saturday night with a 6:35 pm first pitch. Former Mississippi State southpaw Ethan Small is scheduled to start for the Shuckers against M-Braves RHP Matt Withrow. Fans will receive a 2021 Magnet Schedule presented by The Peoples Bank as they enter the gates while supplies last. Individual tickets are on sale now for all 2021 Shuckers home games and promotions for May can be found here. Full Shuck Nation Membershipsand Half Shell Shuck Nation Memberships, flex plans and group outings are available by calling 228-233-3465 and selecting Option 3.

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 are members of the Double-A South. For more information, please visit biloxishuckers.comand follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.