Schield's Bases-Clearing Triple Propels Mud Monsters over Slammers
NA Mississippi Mud Monsters

Schield's Bases-Clearing Triple Propels Mud Monsters over Slammers

Published on September 1, 2026 under National Association (NA)
Mississippi Mud Monsters News Release


JOLIET, Ill. - With help from a strong start by Brian Williams, Slater Schield's sixth-inning bases-clearing triple proved to be the difference in a 5-3 win for the Mississippi Mud Monsters (38-58) over the Joliet Slammers (40-57) Tuesday night at Slammers Stadium.

After dropping their final homestand at Trustmark Park this past week, the Mud Monsters arrived in Joliet looking to begin their final road trip of the season with a win.

A two-out double by Kyle Booker gave the Mud Monsters their first hit against Slammers starter Brock Lucas, but Mississippi was held scoreless in the opening frame.

Taking the hill looking to build upon his team-leading 106.1 innings pitched, Williams immediately struck out leadoff man Ian Battipaglia on three pitches for the first out.

Patrick Ward followed as the second Joliet batter of the night and launched a solo home run to give the Slammers an early 1-0 lead.

Williams regrouped and recorded the second out on a groundout before issuing back-to-back four-pitch walks. The right-hander responded by striking out Tyler Cerny to end the inning.

In the top of the second, Karell Paz reached as Mississippi's second baserunner of the evening with a leadoff walk.

Paz stole second before Tevis Payne II notched a one-out single to put Mud Monsters on the corners.

A walk to Trey Bridges loaded the bases and brought Schield to the plate.

Lucas hit Schield with a pitch to force home the tying run with one out. Although the bases remained loaded, Joliet escaped the inning without allowing another run to cross.

With the game tied 1-1, Williams returned to the mound and surrendered a leadoff double to Cam Suto before tossing his first scoreless inning of the evening, including a called strikeout of Brandon Heidal for his third punchout of the game.

After Lucas retired the Mississippi bats in order for the first time, Williams took the ball for the bottom of the third and allowed a baserunner to reach on a one-out walk before working his way out of the inning for a second consecutive scoreless frame.

Joshua Shelly drew a leadoff walk in the top of the fourth before Payne II collected his second single of the evening to put two runners aboard.

A one-out flyout to center by Schield followed to move Shelly to third, and Payne II stole second to join him in scoring position. Lucas, however, pitched his way out of the inning without allowing a run.

Suto collected his second double with one out against Williams in the bottom of the fourth and stole third, but the Mississippi right-hander worked his way out of the frame with a strikeout for the final out to keep the game deadlocked.

After Mississippi went scoreless in the top of the fifth, Williams returned to the mound and recorded the first out before Ward launched his second solo home run of the evening to put Joliet back in front 2-1.

After Williams recorded the second out, Jackson Valera connected on a solo blast of his own to extend the Slammers' advantage to 3-1.

Paz reached on an infield single to begin the top of the sixth against a new arm as Joliet turned to southpaw Jack Potteiger.

Paz moved to third on a groundout by Shelly before Payne II collected his third hit of the evening to score Paz and pull Mississippi within one at 3-2.

Bridges drew his second walk of the game to join Payne II on the basepaths and bring Schield to the plate.

The Mud Monsters second baseman drilled an offering from Potteiger into left-center field for a bases-clearing triple, scoring Payne II and Bridges to give Mississippi its first lead of the night at 4-3 while also knocking Potteiger out of the game.

Carlos Soto entered in relief out of the Joliet bullpen and recorded the second out on a strikeout before Amani Larry collected his first hit of the evening to plate Schield and extend Mississippi's newfound advantage to 5-3.

Williams took the ball in the bottom of the sixth working with a lead for the first time and, after allowing a leadoff double to Cerny, worked his way out of the frame to preserve Mississippi's two-run advantage.

Soto retired the Mud Monsters in order in the top of the seventh before Williams did the same to Joliet in the bottom half, collecting his sixth and seventh strikeouts of the evening in the process.

After Williams recorded the first out of the bottom of the eighth, manager Jay Pecci made the call to the bullpen and brought in Connor Langrell.

Williams finished his start after 7.1 innings, allowing three runs on six hits while walking three and striking out seven.

Langrell surrendered back-to-back singles to put two Slammers aboard but responded by recording the final two outs to escape the inning without allowing either runner to score.

After Joliet reliever James Geshel retired the Mud Monsters in order in the top of the ninth, Langrell remained on the mound looking for the final three outs to secure the series-opening victory.

Langrell retired the first batter before allowing Battipaglia to reach on an infield single.

Battipaglia advanced to second on a groundout, but Langrell induced a second consecutive groundout for the final out to secure Mississippi's 5-3 comeback victory.

The Mud Monsters continue their three-game road series against the Joliet Slammers Wednesday evening. First pitch from Slammers Stadium is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. CT. Right-hander Julian Minaya (0-1, 4.87) gets the start for Mississippi opposite Joliet southpaw Gunnar Kines (8-5, 5.11).

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National Association Stories from September 1, 2026


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