The Biloxi Shuckers (28-17) used 11 walks and timely hitting to take their series finale from the Chattanooga Lookouts (28-17) 12-7 on Monday night at MGM Park. Jake Gatewood led the offense, going 4-for-4 with three doubles and three RBI as the Shuckers picked up their third straight win. The Shuckers jumped out to a lead in the bottom of the first on one of Gatewood’s four hits. With Jake Hager on second, the Shuckers first baseman pounded a ball to the left field gap, scoring Hager to make it 1-0 Biloxi. Chattanooga posted a crooked number in the top of the third against Shuckers LHP Kodi Medeiros (W, 4-1). The Lookouts sent ten men to the plate, scoring five runs on hits from Zander Wiel, Edgar Corcino and a bases loaded walk to Nick Gordon. Biloxi responded with a big inning of their own in the bottom of the fourth. Chattanooga starter LHP Anthony Marzi (L, 0-2) issued four walks in the inning, allowing runs on a bases loaded free pass, a single by Dustin Houle and a fielder’s choice by Corey Ray. Marzi was lifted from the game, and Jake Hager greeted new hurler LHP Casey Crosby with a single that dropped in fair territory down the right field line, scoring two and giving the Shuckers a 6-5 lead. Biloxi added two more run on a throwing error by Crosby and a base hit by Gatewood, who had walked earlier in the frame. In total, the Shuckers had 12 men come to the plate in the frame, scoring seven runs on five walks and four hits. Gordon brought the Lookouts back within two in the top of the fifth with a solo home run to left, his fifth of the season. The Shuckers answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the frame, a sacrifice fly by Troy Stokes Jr, pushing Biloxi out to a 9-6 lead. Gatewood was in the middle of the Shuckers scoring again in the sixth and seventh. The 22-year-old doubled to start the sixth and scored on a single by Lucas Erceg, and finished his night with a double in the seventh, driving in his third run of the night. It’s the first four-hit game of the season for Gatewood, and the fourth Shucker to record four hits in a game this season. Sunday afternoon, the Biloxi Shuckers walked-off the Chattanooga Lookouts to the tune of a 3-2 victory thanks to Mitch Ghelfi’s tenth inning single on Sunday afternoon. James Ramsey, the first batter of the game, took starter RHP Adrian Houser deep to put the Lookouts in front quickly. Biloxi tied the game in the third thanks to a wild pitch by RHP Randy LeBlanc that brought in Troy Stokes Jr. LeBlanc left his start after 3.1 with an apparent injury. In the top of the third, manager Mike Guerrero was ejected after a play was overturned at first base. Brian Olson was initially called out after a groundball out but the umpires determined that Jake Gatewood’s foot was not on the bag at first. After the ejection, Olson was retired as part of a double play, one of three the Shuckers’ defense turned in the game. Houser allowed a second run, albeit unearned, in the fourth to give Chattanooga a 2-1 lead. The Shuckers’ bullpen handled things beyond the fourth inning. RHP Angel Ventura fired two scoreless frames followed by two more from LHP Brad Kuntz. In the bottom of the eighth, Corey Ray reached when Todd Van Steensel issued a walk. Ray then stole second and progressed to third on a wild pitch. Jake Hager lifted a one-out sacrifice fly to right to bring in Ray and tie the game at two. LHP Nick Ramirez (W, 6-0) was lights out for a second straight game. The lefty struck out a pair in the top of the ninth and kept the bonus runner off the board in the tenth frame. With Tanner English at third in the tenth, Ramirez fanned Olson and Ryan Walker to send the game to the bottom of the inning. Looking for a second straight walk-off, Trent Grisham bunted bonus runner Clint Coulter to third which brought up Ghelfi. Facing RHP Ryne Harper (L, 0-1), the Shuckers’ catcher battled back from an 0-2 count to bring the count full. A sharp ground ball inside the bag at first rolled into right, and Coulter came home to hand the Shuckers the victory. Biloxi has an off day on Tuesday before starting a five-game series in Mobile against the BayBears on Wednesday night at 6:35 PM. The Gazebo Gazette will offer the next weekend free raffle dugout tickets the weekend of May 31-June 2. Check the rules on Facebook to enter.
