SL1 Mississippi Braves

Hunter, M-Braves Walkoff 6-5 over Smokies

May 16, 2014 - Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


PEARL, MS -- With runners at first and third and one out in the 11th, Mississippi Braves outfielder Cedric Hunter drilled a walkoff single through the right side to seal a 6-5 victory over the Tennessee Smokies. The M-Braves continue the series at Trustmark Park with game two Friday at 7:00 PM.

Mycal Jones singled and promptly stole second and third with one out in the 11th. Emerson Landoni drew a walk to put runners at the corners and set up Hunter's walkoff drive. Mississippi (21-19) scored six runs on 14 hits and two errors while Tennesseee (23-17) plated five runs on nine hits and four errors.

Tennessee jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first. John Andreoli singled and stole second. He came in to score on a Stephen Bruno single to left. Bruno was forced out at second when Kris Bryant reached on a fielder's choice, and Rafael Lopez followed with a two-run homer.

The M-Braves responded in the bottom of the second. Barrett Kleinknecht reached on a fielder's choice and took third on Kyle Kubitza's single to left. David Rohm followed with a RBI-single to make it a 3-1 game. Braeden Schlehuber then laid down a sacrifice bunt. A fielding error by the pitcher allowed Kubitza to score and cut the Smokies lead to 3-2.

Kubitza doubled to lead off the fourth. Rohm then reached on an error by the second baseman, allowing Kubitza to score and tie the game at 3-3.

Anthony Giansanti singled to start the seventh. He moved to second on a wild pitch and took third on a sacrifice bunt. Bryant then doubled to left, driving home Giansanti and giving the Smokies a 4-3 lead.

The M-Braves took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the seventh. Landoni and Hunter reached on back-to-back singles to put runners at the corners. A force out allowed Landoni to score the tying run. Rohm later drove in another run to put the Braves on top.

Jeudy Valdez walked and stole second. He scored when Giansanti reached on an error by the centerfielder, tying the game at 5-5 and ultimately forcing extra innings.

Ryne Harper (2-0) picked up the win, working two scoreless innings. Austin Kirk (1-2) surrendered the loss, recording just one out in the 11th before giving up the game-winning run.

Neither starter factored in the decision. Williams Perez gave up three earned runs on four hits, a homer and one walk. He struck out five batters in six innings of work. Joel Pineiro started and worked five frames for the Smokies. He gave up three runs, two earned, on eight hits and a walk while striking out three.

In game two of this five-game series, M-Braves right-hander Aaron Northcraft (3-2, 3.29) counters Smokies right-hander Corey Black (2-3, 4.06). First pitch is slated for 7:00 PM Friday. Gates open at 6:00 PM.

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Southern League Stories from May 16, 2014


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