Lugbauer's Blast Shocks Shuckers In Ninth

A home run by Drew Lugbauer in the ninth inning helped the Mississippi Braves (60-40) come back and shock the Biloxi Shuckers (38-65) 6-4 on Saturday night at MGM Park.

Holding a 4-2 lead going to the ninth inning, the Shuckers turned to RHP Zach Vennaro (L, 3; BS, 4). Justin Dean singled on the first pitch from Vennaro, stole second and scored on a failed catch at first base, pulling the M-Braves within a run at 4-3. After a flyout by Braden Shewmake, Shea Langeliers singled, bringing up Lugbauer, who launched an 0-1 pitch to right for a go-ahead three-run homer, his 18th of the season and ninth against Biloxi, vaulting the M-Braves ahead 6-4.

LHP Hayden Deal (S, 1) entered for the M-Braves in the home half of the ninth inning. Tristen Lutz walked to begin the frame for the Shuckers, and Gabe Holt followed with an infield single, bringing the winning run to the plate. Kekai Rios hit into a fielder’s choice, moving Lutz to third, but David Hamilton flied out and Korry Howell bounced into a game-ending fielder’s choice for the final out.

A two-out rally helped the Shuckers strike in the bottom of the first inning. Mitch Longo singled against RHP Freddy Tarnock, and Thomas Dillard followed with a single to center, putting men on the corners. Alexander Palma worked a nine-pitch at bat before doubling to left, scoring both runners to put the Shuckers up 2-0.

Mississippi was able to steal a run in the top of the fourth inning. Dean led off with an infield single and moved to third on a single to right by Trey Harris. RHP Noah Zavolas struck out Shewmake for the first out in the inning and also caught Langeliers looking, but on the called third strike, Harris stole second and Dean came in to score as he stole home after the throw to second base.

In the top of the sixth inning, Greyson Jenista led off the inning with a solo home run, his fourth of the series and 17th of the season, tying the game at 2-2.

Biloxi would retake the lead thanks to a long ball of their own in the bottom of the sixth. Batting with one out, Dillard hit a laser over the right-field wall, his first home run at Double-A, to put the Shuckers up 3-2.

We interrupt your Saturday night to bring you this absolute 🚀 for @thomas_dillard7!

His first Double-A homer gives the Shuckers the lead! #ShuckYeah pic.twitter.com/EejHahGbX7

— Biloxi Shuckers (@BiloxiShuckers) September 5, 2021

Zavolas would finish off the seventh inning with a strikeout, his seventh of the night, while allowing just two runs and not walking a batter. It was the 10th time in his last 11 starts that the righty has gone at least six innings.

Howell added what appeared to be an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Hamilton walked with two outs and moved to second on a failed pickoff throw. Howell followed with a single to right, driving home Hamilton to put Biloxi up 4-2. RHP Braden Webb (H, 3) came on for the Shuckers in the eighth and tossed a 1-2-3 inning, striking out one.

Looking for a series split, the Shuckers conclude their four-game series against the Mississippi Braves on Sunday afternoon. Biloxi is scheduled to send RHP Lucas Erceg (2-5, 4.50) to the mound while the M-Braves will counter with RHP Spencer Strider (2-6, 5.22) for a 5:05 pm first pitch. The game can be heard locally on Cruisin’ WGCM AM 1240/FM 100.9 and can be seen on MiLB.TV.

Individual tickets are on sale for all 2021 Shuckers home games and promotions for September can be found here. Full Shuck Nation Memberships and 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.