Jake Gatewood connected for a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Biloxi Shuckers (64-41, 23-12 2nd Half) a 3-2 win over the Jackson Generals (57-46, 18-15) on Saturday night at MGM Park. The homer was the 32nd for Gatewood with the Shuckers, making him
Jake Gatewood connected for a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Biloxi Shuckers (64-41, 23-12 2nd Half) a 3-2 win over the Jackson Generals (57-46, 18-15) on Saturday night at MGM Park. The homer was the 32nd for Gatewood with the Shuckers, making him the all-time home run leader for a career in Biloxi history.
Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Patrick Leonard struck out against RHP Michael Kohn (L, 2-1) for the first out in the frame. Dillon Thomas followed by slicing a ball to deep-left field that left fielder Jamie Westbrook dropped, allowing Thomas to reach second. Westbrook also threw wide of third on his throw to the infield, giving Thomas an additional 90 feet. Gatewood dug in and hammered a 1-2 pitch from Kohn over the left-field wall, giving the Shuckers their third walk-off victory of the season.
The Shuckers jumped out to an early lead in the contest thanks to a long ball from Cooper Hummel in the second, his 11th of the season. RHP Cole Stapler allowed just four baserunners for the remainder of his outing, tossing seven innings and giving up just the one run on four hits.
RHP Bowden Francis was perfect to start the game for Biloxi, carrying a perfect game into the fifth. Pavin Smith started the fifth with a single to break up the perfecto and Drew Ellis ripped a single to third to put two men on base. Smith tagged up to third on a pop out to center by Jazz Chisolm and Ramon Hernandez drove in Smith from third with a sacrifice fly to left, tying the game at 1-1. Francis would keep the Generals off the board the rest of the night, spinning seven innings and giving up just the two singles while striking out eight.
Still in a 1-1 deadlock in the top of the ninth, RHP Marcos Diplan (W, 3-4) entered to pitch for Biloxi. Westbrook reached on an infield single against Diplan and Smith tripled to left field, scoring Westbrook to put Jackson in front 2-1. Diplan induced a groundout from Ellis and walked Chisolm, bringing Hernandez to the dish. The first baseman lined out to left field and Hummel delivered a strike to home, doubling up Smith as he tried to score from third.
Biloxi squares off with Jackson in Game Two of their five-game series on Sunday afternoon at 2:35 pm. The Shuckers are scheduled to send LHP Cameron Roegner (3-4, 5.27) to the mound against Generals RHP Matt Peacock (7-3, 2.48). It's Salute Sunday presented by Keesler Federal Credit Union, with $8 Reserved Level tickets and $10 Dugout Box tickets available for active and retired military personnel. Select players will be available for pregame autographs from 1:45 to 2:15 pm presented by Allegiant Air, and fans can stick around for postgame catch on the field. Fans will also receive blue bracelets as they enter the ballpark as part of Ed Randall's Fans for the Cure to raise awareness about prostate cancer. The game can be heard locally in Biloxi on Cruisin' WGCM AM 1240/100.9 FM, TuneIn Radio or the MiLB First Pitch App and can be seen on MiLB.TV. Fans can save $10 off their subscription when they use the promo code 'Shuckers' at checkout.
Half-Season Shuck Nation Memberships, Flex Plans and Group Outings for the 2019 Biloxi Shuckers season are on sale now and are available for purchase by calling 228-233-3465, online at biloxishuckers.com or by visiting the MGM Park front office. The Biloxi Shuckers will host Game 1 and Game 2 of the South Division Championship Series on September 4 & 5 at MGM Park. Tickets for all six potential playoff games at MGM Park are on sale now.
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. For more information please visit biloxishuckers.com and follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.
