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SL Mississippi Braves

Langeliers, Neslony Homer in Friday Night Split in Biloxi

May 15, 2021 - Southern League (SL)
Mississippi Braves News Release


Mississippi Braves at the plate
Mississippi Braves at the plate
(Mississippi Braves)

PEARL, MS - The Mississippi Braves and Biloxi Shuckers split a doubleheader on Friday night at MGM Park. Biloxi (3-7) took the first game, 3-2, and the M-Braves (4-6) bounced back with a 2-0 shutout in the second game.

The M-Braves got home runs from Shea Langeliers in game one and Tyler Neslony in the nightcap, pushing the season to 11 and 10 in the past six games.

Victor Vodnik (L, 0-1) was stellar out of the gates in game one, striking out seven over the first three shutout innings. Biloxi got to the 21-year-old right-hander in the fourth inning with a three-run inning, taking advantage of three hits and two walks. The inning was capped off by a David Fy two-run double to end the outing for Vodnik. The Rialto, CA native, gave up three runs on four hits with three walks and a season-high eight strikeouts in his second start.

The big inning came right after Langeliers belted a solo home run to left-center, giving the Braves a brief 1-0 lead. Langeliers reached base safely four times in the doubleheader, going 1-for-3 in the first game and 0-for-1 in the nightcap, walking three times.

The M-Braves did inch closer in the sixth inning when Justin Dean led off the inning with a double, then scored on a single by Trey Harris to make it 3-2. Dean was 2-for-2 and reached in all three plate appearances in the first game. The Mauldin, SC native was 3-for-6 with a pair of doubles in the two games.

Mississippi relievers Troy Bacon and Kurt Hoekstra combined to shutout the Shuckers over the final 2.2 innings of game one. Bowden Francis (W, 2-0) picked up the win in the first game for Biloxi, and Jake Cousins (S, 2) got the save.

Game two saw Odalvi Javier make his second M-Braves start, and like Vodnik in the first game, he racked up the strikeouts early on. The 24-year-old struck out seven over 3.1 innings of scoreless baseball but let his pitch count rise. He gave up back-to-back singles to begin the bottom of the fourth, but after his seventh strikeout was lifted for reliever Sean McLaughlin (W, 1-0). Javier struck out seven and walked just one, scattering three hits over the outing.

The M-Braves took advantage of Biloxi starter Lucas Erceg's (L, 0-1) first professional start. The two-way player and former second-round pick of the Brewers struggled with command walked two batters to start the second inning. After a wild pitch, Jalen Miller brought home, CJ Alexander with a sacrifice fly, and the Braves took a 1-0 lead.

Neslony gave Mississippi some insurance by bashing his first home run of 2021 into the berm in right field. The solo shot made it 2-0 and capped Neslony's 2-for-3 nightcap. McLaughlin worked 1.2 scoreless behind Javier, notching the win while striking out two. Josh Graham (S, 1) tossed 2.0 scoreless inning behind McLaughlin and secured his first save of 2021 and 13th as an M-Brave.

The M-Braves bullpen combined for 6.1 scoreless innings on Friday night, lowering their overall ERA to 2.25 on the young season.

The doubleheader split on Friday night has the six-game series even at 2-2 after four games and pushes Mississippi's record to 1-3 in seven-inning contests.

Game five of the six-game set is scheduled for Saturday night at MGM Park in Biloxi. The first pitch is set for 6:35 pm with RHP Matt Withrow (0-0, 1.50) starting for the M-Braves, against LHP Ethan Small (0-1, 12.00) for Biloxi. Coverage will begin at 6:20 pm on 103.9 WYAB, the First Pitch app, and mississippibraves.com

The Braves will return to Trustmark Park for 12 games in 13 days, May 18-30, against the Chattanooga Lookouts and Montgomery Biscuits. The homestand will feature the return of Bark in the Park, two Post-Game Fireworks Shows, and two great giveaways. On Friday, May 21, the first 1,000 fans receive a Dansby Swanson replica jersey, courtesy of the Mississippi Forestry Commission. On Friday, May 28, the Braves will wear throwback Jackson Generals jerseys, and the first 1,000 fans will get a replica Generals cap, courtesy of NCADD.

For tickets and more information, be sure to visit mississippibraves.com, or call 888-BRAVES4.

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Mississippi Braves at the plate
Mississippi Braves at the plate
   



Southern League Stories from May 15, 2021


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