Shuckers Strike Early In 7-3 Victory Over Pensacola

The Biloxi Shuckers (13-13) scored seven runs in the first three frames en route to a 7-3 victory over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (17-9) on Wednesday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium. RHP Johan Belisario (W, 1-0) earned his first win of the season after throwing five frames and allowing just two runs.
In the bottom of the second inning, Biloxi demonstrated a patient approach against RHP Sean Poppen (L, 2-1), drawing four walks against the Blue Wahoos righty. After a fielders' choice by C.J. Hinojosa, Patrick Leonard singled to left and Luis Aviles Jr. worked a walk, loading the bases for Cooper Hummel. The switch hitter delivered a frozen-rope single to right, plating two runners to put Biloxi up 2-0. Max McDowell then worked the third walk of the inning and O'Neill drove in another run with an RBI fielders' choice.
The Shuckers offense came up with a big two-out rally in the third. Following a pair of groundouts, Leonard worked a walk and Aviles doubled to left, bringing up Hummel, who again singled to drive in a run. McDowell drew his second of three walks and O'Neill cleared the bases with his first triple of the season, busting the game open to make it 7-0 Biloxi. O'Neill finished the night 2-for-5 with a triple and four RBI, his team-leading eighth multi-hit game of the year.
Belisario ran into minimal trouble during his outing. The 25-year-old allowed just two baserunners his first two innings of work and allowed two runs to score on a fielders' choice and sacrifice fly. Over five innings, the righty surrendered just three hits and one walk while striking out three, needing just 58 pitches to get through his outing.
Pensacola had an opportunity to get back into the game in the sixth. RHP Marcos Diplan entered out of the bullpen and loaded the bases with just one out. Taylor Grzelakowski came up with his second sacrifice fly of the night, bringing Pensacola within four at 7-3. However, Jordan Gore lined out to right with the bases loaded, ending the threat for the Blue Wahoos. RHP Aaron Kurcz retired the lone batter that he faced and RHP Nate Griep worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning to clean up the win for Biloxi.
Out to an early series lead, Biloxi will send RHP Trey Supak (2-1, 2.60) to the mound against Blue Wahoos RHP Jorge Alcala (4-1, 5.70) for a 6:35 pm first pitch on Thursday night. The game can be heard locally in Biloxi on Cruisin' WGCM AM 1240/100.9 FM, TuneIn Radio or the MiLB First Pitch App.
Full Season Shuck Nation memberships, Weekender Shuck Nation memberships 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. Biloxi will host the 2019 Southern League All-Star Festivities, with a Home Run Derby on Monday, June 17 and the All-Star Game at 6:35 pm on Tuesday, June 18 at MGM Park. Tickets for 2019 All-Star Events 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 and will host the 2019 Southern League All-Star Game on June 18. For more information please visit biloxishuckers.com and follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.