MONTGOMERY, AL - A pair of inning-ending double plays helped the Biloxi Shuckers (22-12) lock down a 3-2 victory in ten innings over the Montgomery Biscuits (14-20) on Thursday night at Riverwalk Stadium. Tied at two in the bottom of the ninth inning, RHP Jon Olczak (W, 3-0) allowed his
MONTGOMERY, AL - A pair of inning-ending double plays helped the Biloxi Shuckers (22-12) lock down a 3-2 victory in ten innings over the Montgomery Biscuits (14-20) on Thursday night at Riverwalk Stadium.
Tied at two in the bottom of the ninth inning, RHP Jon Olczak (W, 3-0) allowed his first base runner of the night on a leadoff single to Nick Solak. The Biscuits second baseman moved to second on a fielding error by Clint Coulter. The Shuckers opted to intentionally walk Brandon Lowe, setting up the double play. Olczak struck out Dalton Kelly for the first out before inducing a 6-4-3 double play that sent the game to extra innings.
In the top of the tenth, Biloxi put recently signed Darren Seferina in as a pinch runner at second base, replacing Jake Gatewood, who would have started the inning at second with the new MiLB extra-innings rule. Seferina tagged up to third on a fly out to center by Mitch Ghelfi and Jake Hager was intentionally walked to put men on the corners. Facing RHP Roel Ramirez (L, 0-1), Tyler Heineman ripped a single up the middle, scoring Seferina to give Biloxi a 3-2 lead.
Another substitution made the difference for the Shuckers, as LHP Nick Ramirez came into the game at first base in the bottom of the tenth. Brett Sullivan started the frame with a fielder's choice where the Shuckers tagged out the lead runner at third. Jermaine Palacios followed with a slow roller that ricocheted off the third base bag and leaked into right field, putting the tying run at third. In the next at bat, Thomas Milone bounced a ball to first that was fielded by Ramirez, who hurled it to second for the second out and got back to first to receive the back end of a 3-6-3 game-ending double play. RHP Nate Griep (S, 13) locked down his MiLB-leading 13th save of the season by tossing the scoreless frame.
Though he didn't factor into the decision, RHP Adrian Houser tossed 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and retiring 11 in a row during his outing. It was the longest outing of the season for Houser, who struck out three without issuing a walk.
Biloxi scored both of their runs on sacrifice flies. In the third, Gatewood flied to right, scoring Wendell Rijo. Heineman added a second run in the sixth, driving in Hager, who had tripled to start the inning.
Montgomery tied the game in the bottom of the seventh on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly against LHP Quintin Torres-Costa. The lefty had his 15.2 scoreless innings streak snapped and allowed his first two earned runs of the season.
With the win, the Shuckers set up a rubber match on Friday night at 6:35 PM CT. The Shuckers are slated to send LHP Kodi Medeiros (3-1, 2.79) to the mound, while the Biscuits will turn to their bullpen. 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.
