SL1 Mississippi Braves

Mississippi Rallies to Defeat Pensacola 9-4

Published on April 18, 2018 under Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


PEARL, MS - The Mississippi Braves defeated the Pensacola Blue Wahoos by a final score of 9-4 on Wednesday afternoon in front of a season high 4,644 fans. For Mississippi, their win was their first of the series against Pensacola.

RHP Touki Toussaint earned the start for Mississippi and tossed 4.2 innings, allowing six hits, four earned runs, striking out seven Pensacola batters and only walking one.

Much like the previous two nights, Pensacola jumped out to an early lead after scoring one run in the top of the first inning. Mississippi answered in the bottom half of the inning by scoring two runs of their own after Austin Riley blasted a triple into right field, allowing Michael Reed to score. Mississippi picked up their second run of the inning when Riley scored from third base on a RBI groundout by Tyler Neslony.

Mississippi's 2-1 lead was short lived as Pensacola quickly responded in the top of the second inning when Taylor Sparks launched a solo homerun to deep centerfield off of the Batter's Eye, evening the score 2-2.

The score remained tied until the top of the fifth inning when the Blue Wahoos took a 4-2 lead courtesy of a two-run homerun off of the bat of Nick Longhi. Mississippi managed to cut the deficit to one run in the bottom of the fifth inning after Riley hammered his second triple of the game, which allowed Travis Demeritte to score. Riley becomes the first Mississippi Braves player to record two triples in one game since Ozzie Albies did so in 2016.

Luis Valenzuela who entered the game as a pinch hitter for Mississippi, tied the game 4-4 in the bottom of the seventh inning when he tattooed his first homerun of the season well over the centerfield wall.

The Mississippi offense saved their best for last, as they scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Mississippi scored their first run in the bottom of the ninth on an unusual play that involved both a sacrifice bunt and an error by Pensacola pitcher, Brennan Bernardino. Nonetheless, Riley scored from third base on the play. Valenzuela then followed with a bases clearing double to give the M-Braves a 7-4 lead. The final blow to the Blue Wahoos came courtesy of a two-run homerun by Mississippi first baseman, Tyler Marlette who entered the game in place of Sal Giardina in the top of the fifth inning. For Marlette, his two-run shot in the bottom of the eighth was his second long ball of the season.

Mississippi relief pitcher, Corbin Clouse (1-0, 2.61) earned the win while Pensacola relief pitcher, Jose Rafael De Paula suffered the loss and a blown save. The M-Braves and Blue Wahoos will meet for the fourth time this season on Thursday night at Trustmark Park at 7:00 p.m. (CST). RHP Wes Parsons (0-0, 1.35) will be the M-Braves Thursday night starter. Parsons will square off against Pensacola right-hander, Jesus Reyes (0-2, 9.45). Thursday night's game will feature Thirsty Thursday and Chick-Fil-A Buy One, Get One Frosted Sunrise Coupon (First 2,000 Fans).

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Southern League Stories from April 18, 2018


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