Shuckers Set Stolen Base Record, Meeker Sets Career-High in Innings in 7-4 Win

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

BILOXI, MS - Back at MGM Park, the Biloxi Shuckers (46-45, 12-10) not only smashed three home runs and got a career-high six innings from starter James Meeker, but they also set a new single-season franchise record with their 163rd stolen base of the season in a 7-4 win over the Birmingham Barons (33-57, 8-13) on Tuesday night. The Shuckers not only set the record, but they did so with 47 games remaining in the season and became the third Shuckers' team in the franchise's history to homer 30-plus times in July.

After a perfect first inning from Meeker, the Barons started the scoring with a leadoff home run to left from Xavier Fernández in the second, his 10th of the year. They extended the lead to two in the third when Alsander Womack lined a single to left, scoring Jose Rodríguez from second.

The Shuckers cut the deficit in half in the third when Isaac Collins tallied his second hit of the night, scoring Jackson Chourio from third. In the fourth, the Shuckers tied the franchise record with a stolen base from Carlos Rodriguez. Then, they took the lead on a three-run home run from Nick Kahle to left, his first home run at MGM Park this year.

In the fifth, the Barons tied the game at four thanks to an RBI double from Moises Castillo and an RBI groundout from Womack, his second RBI of the night. However, the Shuckers' offense caught fire in the bottom of the fifth, with Isaac Collins and Wes Clarke smashing back-to-back home runs, giving Biloxi a 6-4 lead. Collins' left the bat at 101 MPH and traveled 414 feet and Clarke's smashed off the light pole in left with a 104 MPH exit velocity. Meeker continued through the sixth, setting a new career high. From there, Ryan Middendorf worked two perfect innings and didn't allow a ball to leave the infield.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Shuckers tallied their seventh run of the night when an errant throw on a fielder's choice allowed Freddy Zamora to score from third. Lamar Sparks, who had reached on the fielder's choice, then broke the record by stealing second, Biloxi's 163rd of 2023.

Cam Robinson secured his seventh save of the year, and a 7-4 Shuckers' win, with a scoreless ninth, retiring the side in order after the first two reached. Meeker (5-3) earned the win while Tommy Sommer (2-3) took the loss for Birmingham.

Righty Christian Mejias will start for Biloxi on Wednesday while righty Cristian Mena will start for Birmingham. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. All military personnel can receive a $3 discount on Dugout Box and Reserved Level tickets with a valid military ID for Military Wednesday presented by Keesler Federal Credit Union. The Shuckers will also host Bark in the Park, where fans and their four-legged fans can hang out on the berm for just $8.

The game can be heard on Cruisin' WGCM 1240 AM, 100.9 FM with coverage beginning at 6:20 p.m. with the Biloxi Shuckers Pregame Show. The game can also be seen live on MiLB.tv as the Free Game of the Day.

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' Jackson Chourio in action (Mike Krebs)

Southern League Stories from July 25, 2023

• Smokies Stay Hot, Beat Rocket City 8-4 - Knoxville Smokies
• Trash Pandas Stranded in 8-4 Loss to Smokies - Rocket City Trash Pandas
• Biscuits Power Past Lookouts, 9-4 - Montgomery Biscuits
• Shuckers Set Stolen Base Record, Meeker Sets Career-High in Innings in 7-4 Win - Biloxi Shuckers
• Lookouts Fall to Biscuits, 9-4 - Chattanooga Lookouts
• Robles Spins Quality Start in M-Braves' 3-2 Loss to Pensacola - Mississippi Braves
• Small Ball Prevails as Blue Wahoos Beat Braves 3-2 - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
• Birmingham Falls in Game 6 to Chattanooga to Split Series 3-3 - Birmingham Barons
• Barons Squander Stellar Performance from Thompson in 9-1 Loss to Lookouts - Birmingham Barons
• Shuckers Announce Roster Moves Prior to Series Opener against Barons - Biloxi Shuckers
• Homestand Highlights: July 25-30 vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos - Mississippi Braves
• Blake Dunn Named Player of the Week - Chattanooga Lookouts

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