by Hunter Dawkins, Owner/Publisher – editor@thegazebogazette.com or hdawkins@supertalk.fm
BILOXI (GG) — Behind an aggressive offensive approach, Mississippi State alum K.C. Hunt earns his third win (3-3) for the Biloxi Shuckers minor-league baseball team Saturday, May 24 against the Knoxville Smokies at Keesler Federal Park. Hunt’s season-high 8 strikeouts helped the Shuckers (27-17) win the series and extend their South Division lead in the Southern League by 4 games.
Biloxi Centerfielder Luis Lara started the scoring to open with a two-RBI double to right-center, giving the Shuckers a 2-0 lead. Then, Lara struck again in the bottom of the third with a two-RBI single into left-center with the bases loaded and Catcher Matthew Wood extended the lead to 5-1 with a sacrifice fly to right, his first Double-A RBI.
The Shuckers increased the lead in the sixth with a pair of bases-loaded RBI walks from Third Baseman Brock Wilken and Left Fielder Zavier Warren. A wild pitch later in the inning brought home Mississippi native Shortstop Cooper Pratt from third, making it 8-1.
Despite allowing four runs in the final three innings, the Shuckers held on to secure an 8-5 victory. Additionally, Pratt returned after a few days’ rest by scoring two runs while going 1-4. Hunt’s 5 inning quality performance allowed only four hits and one run with zero walks.
During the game, the Shuckers transformed into the Biloxi King Cakes, honoring over 100 years of Mardi Gras history on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The final game of the series will be at 5:05pm Sunday, May 25 against the Smokies.
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
