PEARL, MS -- Behind stellar pitching performances from both teams for the second consecutive night, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (26-21) outlasted the Mississippi Braves (23-24) by a final score of 2-0 to even the series at one game apiece. The series continues Friday at 7:00 PM. Kolby Allard (4-2) started for
PEARL, MS -- Behind stellar pitching performances from both teams for the second consecutive night, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (26-21) outlasted the Mississippi Braves (23-24) by a final score of 2-0 to even the series at one game apiece. The series continues Friday at 7:00 PM.
Kolby Allard (4-2) started for Mississippi and lasted five innings before leaving with a two-run deficit. The third-ranked prospect in the Atlanta Braves' organization took the mound against the only pitcher with a better ERA in the Southern League entering the game in Austin Ross. In five frames, Allard surrendered two earned runs on six hits and four walks. He struck out five.
In the fifth, a double by Tyler Goeddel set the table for left-handed hitter Josh Vanmeter. With two outs in the inning, Vanmeter launched a no-doubter onto the Farm Bureau Grill in right field to plate the only runs of the game. The two runs would prove too much for the M-Braves' offense though, and Allard took his second loss of the season.
In relief, the M-Braves used three pitchers to hold Pensacola hitless for the final four innings. Philip Pfiefer walked two and struck-out five over the sixth and seventh innings. Danny Reynolds tossed a perfect eighth and Rex Brothers struck-out two in the ninth to complete the strong effort from the pitching staff.
Pensacola right-hander Austin Ross (5-0) held the M-Braves to three hits over six innings of work, walking just one and striking out four. Offensively for the Braves, Travis Demeritte got a double in the first and Keith Curcio walked in the second before Ross retired 13 straight into the sixth. A single by Ronald Acuña Jr. broke up the streak, but Ross worked through it and finished the seventh with no trouble.
Pensacola used Ariel Hernández in the eighth, and the M-Braves put together their best effort of the game. A leadoff walk to pinch-hitter Jared James was followed by a Levi Hyams single to give the home team two on and no out. A sac-bunt by Reed Harper set up the top of the order with runners in scoring position, but Hernandez worked out of the jam with a strikeout of Stephen Gaylor and a popup by Acuna.
Jimmy Herget picked up his 12th save of the year by striking out the side in the ninth, despite giving up a single to Joey Meneses. Meneses led the way offensively with two singles in four at-bats for Mississippi. Demeritte, Hyams and Acuna each added a hit to the tally, but the home team fell just short of a comeback. Game three is set for a 7:00 PM first pitch Friday night at Trustmark Park.
Pensacola: 2-6-0
Mississippi: 0-5-0
WP: Ross (5-0)
LP: Allard (4-2)
SV: Herget (12)
Attn: 3,076
Time: 2:32
