Shuckers Split Doubleheader at Trustmark Park on Friday against M-Braves

PEARL, MS – In a season series marked by pitching, the Biloxi Shuckers (17-20) split a doubleheader with the Mississippi Braves (15-22) at Trustmark Park on Friday night. The Shuckers won game one, 3-1, in eight innings while the M-Braves no-hit the Shuckers in a 2-0 win in game two. The two teams have combined for 10 runs in the first four games of the series and have combined for 36 runs over the first 10 games of their season series. In game one, Shuckers’ starter Brett Wichrowski tied his career-high with five innings and game two starter Shane Smith set a new career-high with four innings in his first Double-A start.

In game one, the M-Braves scored their only run in the third with a leadoff home run from Bryson Horne, his first of the year. Outside of the home run, Shuckers’ starter Brett Wichrowski allowed one hit, struck out six and recorded five innings for his second straight start. Over that span, Wichrowski has allowed two runs in 10 innings, a 1.80 ERA.

The Shuckers tied game one in the fifth inning when a wild pitch allowed Zavier Warren to score from third. In the eighth inning, considered extra innings during the doubleheader, the Shuckers took the lead when Eric Brown Jr. laced a leadoff double to right, scoring Lamar Sparks from second, the placed runner to begin the extra frame. Two batters later, Brock Wilken extended the lead to 3-1 with a single to right-center that scored Brown Jr.

In the bottom of the inning, Justin Yeager tossed a perfect frame, locking down his seventh save of the season, tied for the most in the Southern League and Double-A. Russell Smith (1-0) earned the win and Jorge Juan (0-2) took the loss for Mississippi.

In game two, Shuckers’ starter Shane Smith worked through three scoreless innings in the first multi-inning start of his professional career. In the fourth, two walks and a two-RBI single from Javier Valdes gave the M-Braves a 2-0 lead. Smith ended his night after a career-high four innings, allowing two runs on two hits. Out of the bullpen, Nick Merkel and Will Childers both worked scoreless innings. Merkel struck out two over a scoreless fifth inning.

For the M-Braves, starter Ian Mejia recorded the fifth no-hitter in franchise history, striking out 11, walking two and hitting one over seven innings. Mejia (4-0) earned the complete game shutout win while Smith (3-1) took the loss for Biloxi.

Brewers’ top prospect Jacob Misiorowski (0-0, 2.63) will start for Biloxi on Saturday night against Luis De Avila (0-5, 5.29) for the M-Braves. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. at Trustmark Park. Fans can listen live on Biloxi Shuckers Radio Network with pregame coverage beginning at 5:45 p.m. from the Ground Zero Blues Club Broadcast Booth.

Fans can save up to 50% off day-of-game pricing by securing their 2024 Shuck Nation membership today. Shuck Nation memberships, Flex Plans and group outings are available now by visiting biloxishuckers.com, the ballpark offices and by calling (228) 233-3465. Fans can also receive more information regarding the full promotion schedule and single-game tickets on the Shuckers website.

ABOUT THE BILOXI SHUCKERS:

The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Shuckers are members of the Southern League and play at Shuckers Ballpark in Biloxi, Mississippi. For more information please visit biloxishuckers.com and follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.

ABOUT SHUCKERS BASEBALL, LLC:

Shuckers Baseball, LLC is a MS entity owned and operated by John Tracy. Shuckers Baseball operates the Biloxi Shuckers baseball franchise, including operating Shuckers Ballpark for Biloxi Shuckers minor league baseball games and other entertainment and recreational events.