by Hunter Dawkins, Publisher/Owner – editor@thegazebogazette.com or hdawkins@supertalk.fm

BILOXI (GG) — For the first time in nearly a year (August 20, 2024), the Biloxi Shuckers earned sole possession of first place in the South Division of the Southern League in AA Baseball. After a 1-7 start, the Shuckers have won 19 of their last 25 games with a plus-61 run differential.  On Sunday afternoon, May 11 at Keesler Federal Park in Biloxi, the Shuckers beat the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 5-1 for their fifth consecutive victory.

The wins also clinched the first series victory for Biloxi over Pensacola since September 13-18, 2022, at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

After the Shuckers threatened with runners in the first and second to start the game, Biloxi broke through in the third when a wild pitch allowed Luke Adams to score from third and Brock Wilken brought home a run with an RBI single into right-center, making it 2-0. Pensacola struck back in the fourth when an error on a double play chance allowed Jared Serna to score from third. 

The game remained 2-1 until the seventh when Mississippi State Alum Cooper Pratt doubled down the left field line, making it 3-1. Wilken then smashed his team-leading eighth home run of the year, a two-run shot to right-center, and made it 5-1.

Pratt was 4-20 at the plate, three runs, and two doubles in the series while former Ole Miss player Kemp Alderman finished the series 4-19 with two runs scored and a double.

Tate Kuehner (2-4) earned the win after allowing one unearned run with six strikeouts over 5.0 innings. Orlando Ortiz-Mayr (2-2) took the loss for Pensacola. The Shuckers bullpen combined for four shutout innings, including perfect innings from Stiven Cruz and  Chase Costello. Brock Wilken (3-for-4) recorded the Shuckers’ lone multi-hit performance of the afternoon.

After an off-day on Monday, the Shuckers will begin a six-game series against the Montgomery Biscuits at Riverwalk Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13.

The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Shuckers are members of the Southern League and play at Keesler Federal Park in Biloxi, Mississippi. For more information, please visit biloxishuckers.com and follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.

Shuckers Baseball, LLC is a MS entity owned and operated by John Tracy. Shuckers Baseball operates the Biloxi Shuckers baseball franchise, including operating Keesler Federal Park for Biloxi Shuckers minor league baseball games and other entertainment and recreational events.

(Photo by Shuckers Baseball)