SL1 Biloxi Shuckers

Shuckers Clinch 2nd Half Title During Battle in Birmingham

Published on August 31, 2019 under Southern League (SL1)
Biloxi Shuckers News Release


BIRMINGHAM, AL - Despite a 6-5 loss to the Birmingham Barons (62-71, 35-29 2nd Half) at Regions Field on Friday night, the Biloxi Shuckers (81-55, 40-26 2nd Half) clinched a second half championship to claim home field advantage for the South Division Championship Series. In clinching the second-half title, the Shuckers become the first franchise since the 2011 Tennessee Smokies to win four straight half titles.

The Shuckers pummeled John Parke in the first inning before being held hitless the remainder of the way by the Barons bullpen. Mario Feliciano reached on a fielder's choice and Weston Wilson drew a two-out walk before C.J. Hinojosa opened the scoring with a single into center field. The base hit started a stretch of five straight knocks against Parke. Cooper Hummel and Jake Gatewood followed with RBI singles, Bruce Caldwell connected for a two-run hit, and Max McDowell capped the scoring with an RBI double, plating Gatewood for a five-run advantage before Birmingham grabbed the bats.

Luis Gonzalez opened a bounce-back first inning for Birmingham with a lead-off walk against Bowden Francis. Luis Basabe doubled home Gonzalez, Blake Rutherford singled, and Gavin Sheets was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Francis settled with consecutive strikeouts, but then issued back-to-back bases-loaded walks to make it a 5-3 game and put an end to his night. Daniel Brown recorded the final out of the first inning and proceeded to work into the fifth.

Basabe inched the Barons closer with an RBI single off Brown in the fourth inning, while Alfredo Gonzalez tied the game with a sacrifice fly off Justin Topa (L, 0-3) in the fifth. Sheets provided the go-ahead run in the sixth, scoring Luis Gonzalez with an infield groundout and securing a 6-5 lead.

On the mound for Birmingham, Kodi Medeiros, Tyler Johnson (W, 2-0) and Danny Dopico (S, 5) combined to hold the Shuckers hitless over eight straight innings.

The Shuckers continue their final series of the regular season on Saturday in Birmingham with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 pm CT. Biloxi will send RHP Dylan File (9-2, 2.77) to the mound and Birmingham will throw RHP Blake Battenfield (5-5, 4.47). The game can be heard locally in Biloxi on Cruisin' WGCM AM 1240/100.9 FM, TuneIn Radio or the MiLB First Pitch App and can be seen on MiLB.TV. Fans can save $10 off their subscription when they use the promo code 'Shuckers' at checkout.

With the 2020 Southern League schedule announced, Shuck Nation Memberships for the 2020 season are available by calling 228-233-3465 or by visiting the Biloxi Shuckers front office. The Biloxi Shuckers will host Game 1 and Game 2 of the South Division Championship Series against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on September 4 & 5 at MGM Park. Tickets for all six potential playoff games at MGM Park are on sale now.

Check out the Biloxi Shuckers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Southern League Stories from August 31, 2019


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.

OurSports Central