Late-Inning Comeback Fuels Shuckers to a Win in Series Opener

April 25, 2023 - Southern League (SL)
Biloxi Shuckers News Release

BILOXI, MS - After a lead-off triple to begin the bottom of the ninth, Lamar Sparks scampered home on a wild pitch to give the Biloxi Shuckers a 4-3 win over the Mississippi Braves in the series opener at MGM Park on Tuesday night. The win was the fourth straight for the Shuckers, extending their season-long win streak.

The game started as a pitcher's duel between Shuckers' starter Tobias Myers and M-Braves starter Alan Rangel. The two traded zeros on the scoreboard until the fifth when back-to-back home runs from Javier Valdes and Drew Campbell gave the M-Braves a 2-0 lead.

Rangel continued to dominate throughout his start. After allowing two hits to start the game, Rangel retired the final 17 batters he faced. Myers, meanwhile, set a new season-high with six innings pitched.

The Shuckers' offense came to life in the seventh against the M-Braves bullpen. Freddy Zamora, after seven RBI this weekend, lined a single to left-center that scored Tyler Black, cutting the deficit to 2-1. An inning later, the M-Braves struck back with a double to left from Campbell that scored Drew Lugbauer from second and made it 3-1 M-Braves.

The Shuckers, however, battled back again, this time with four straight walks from reliever Alex Segal. With the score at 3-2, Tyler Black lined a single to left that scored Ethan Murray to tie the game. Noah Campbell attempted to come home on the play but was thrown out at home on a throw from left.

In the ninth, Abner Uribe continued his dominant start to the year with back-to-back strikeouts with the go-ahead run at third to keep the game tied. In the bottom half of the inning, Sparks led off the inning with a triple to right, his first of the year, and was brought home on a wild pitch for the Shuckers' second walk-off of the year.

Uribe earned the win, his first of the year, while Victor Vodnik (0-1) took the loss.

The Shuckers and M-Braves will meet for game two of their series tomorrow morning with an 11:05 a.m. start. It's Education Day at the ballpark, and fans can also purchase a Shuckers' Lunch Break Special for $16. The ticket includes a hot dog, chips and a drink along with a seat on the Renova Roofing Party Deck.

Individual tickets, group outings, Shuck Nation memberships and Flex Plans for the 2023 Biloxi Shuckers season are available now by calling (228) 233-3465 or visiting biloxishuckers.com.

Biloxi Shuckers' Lamar Sparks in action (Mike Krebs)

Southern League Stories from April 25, 2023

• Late Walks Cost M-Braves in 4-3 Loss to Shuckers - Mississippi Braves
• Lookouts Hold On for 4-3 Win in Series Opener - Chattanooga Lookouts
• Late-Inning Comeback Fuels Shuckers to a Win in Series Opener - Biloxi Shuckers
• Biscuits Top Blue Wahoos, 6-4 - Montgomery Biscuits
• Trash Pandas Lack Clutch Hit in 4-3 Loss - Rocket City Trash Pandas
• Trash Pandas Lack Clutch Hit in 4-3 Loss - Rocket City Trash Pandas
• Walks Haunt Wahoos in 6-4 Loss - Pensacola Blue Wahoos

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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