Series Opener Goes To BayBears 3-2

While lightning illuminated the sky above Hank Aaron Stadium, the Biloxi Shuckers (28-18) fell in their series opener against the Mobile BayBears (24-21) 3-2 on Wednesday night. Biloxi maintains a 3.5 game lead over the BayBears in the South Division of the Southern League.
Biloxi threatened right out of the gate, as Corey Ray doubled down the right field line to start the game, his Southern League leading 24th extra-base hit. Ray then stole third, but was left stranded as BayBears RHP Luis Pena (W, 2-4) retired the next three batters in order. Pena would not allow another base runner until the fourth.
On the other side, RHP Cody Ponce (L, 1-3) turned in another solid outing, facing the minimum in each of his first four innings, despite allowing a leadoff runner in each frame. Ponce was aided by his defense, which turned three double plays and cut down a runner trying to steal second.
The first runs of the game came in the fifth, when Connor Justus reached on an error and came around to score on a double by Jared Walsh, giving Mobile a 1-0 lead. Walsh scored from second on a soft single to center by Zach Gibbons. The BayBears chased Ponce in the sixth when Zach Houchins hit a two-out home run, his first of the season, to push Mobile's advantage to 3-0.
The Shuckers grabbed back a pair of runs in the seventh. Blake Allemand singled with one out and came in to score on a double by Clint Coulter, who entered the game as a pinch hitter. Biloxi pulled within a run on a fielding error by Walsh that plated Coulter.
In the eighth, the Shuckers put the tying run at third. Troy Stokes Jr. doubled to start the inning and moved to third on a fly ball out by Jake Gatewood. RHP Tyler Stevens (S, 1) shut down the threat, inducing a ground ball for the final out in the eighth before striking out the side in the ninth.
Game Two of a five-game series in Mobile is on Thursday night at 6:35 PM. Biloxi has not named a starter while the BayBears will send RHP Jose Rodriguez (3-4, 4.62) to the mound. The game can be heard locally on Cruisin' WGCM AM 1240/ FM 100.9, TuneIn Radio or the MiLB First Pitch App.
Single game tickets for the Biloxi Shuckers 2018 season are on sale now and can be purchased at the MGM Park box office or over the phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Season tickets, flex plans and group outings are also available and can be reserved by calling 228-233-3465 or visiting www.biloxishuckers.com.
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.com.