Sparks' Five-Hit Day Helps Shuckers to Independence Day Blowout Win

PEARL, MS – With a season-high 12 runs and a franchise-record-tying five-hit night from Lamar Sparks, the Biloxi Shuckers (36-41, 6-4) earned a blowout victory over the Mississippi Braves (36-42, 5-5) by a 12-2 score at Trustmark Park on Thursday night. The game marked the first meeting between the two teams on Independence Day since 2018.

The M-Braves struck first in the fourth with an RBI single from Yolbert Sanchez to take a 1-0 lead. The run was the only run allowed by Shuckers’ starter Logan Henderson, who struck out five and did not issue a walk over four innings in his fifth Double-A start. Through five Double-A starts, Henderson owns a 1.75 ERA with 34 strikeouts to just four walks in 25.2 innings.

After five shutout innings from M-Braves’ starter Luis De Avila, the Shuckers tied the game in the sixth with an RBI single from Brock Wilken. They took a 3-1 lead two batters later with a two-RBI single from Eric Brown Jr. Biloxi then extended the lead in the seventh with an RBI triple from Lamar Sparks, two bases-loaded walks and an error, making it 7-3.

In the bottom of the seventh, the M-Braves struck back with an RBI single from Bryson Horne to make it 7-2. Biloxi, however, used an RBI single from Carlos Rodriguez and a two-RBI double from Brock Wilken to extend the lead to 10-2. In the ninth, Lamar Sparks’ franchise-record-tying fifth hit of the night, an RBI single, extended the lead to 11-2 before an RBI fielder’s choice from Dylan O’Rae gave Biloxi a season-high 12 runs. Nick Merkel (4-4) earned the win after 2.2 relief innings while Luis De Avila (1-9) took the loss for the M-Braves.

Brock Wilken (2-for-4, 4 RBI) recorded the Shuckers’ only other multi-hit performance while Eric Brown Jr. (1-for-3, 3 RBI) recorded a multi-RBI night.

The Shuckers continue the three-game set on Friday with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at Trustmark Park. Shane Smith (4-2, 3.06) is scheduled to start for Biloxi while David Fletcher (0-2, 6.31) is slated to start for the M-Braves. Fans can listen live on Biloxi Shuckers Radio Network with pregame coverage beginning at 6:15 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.