For much of Tuesday night’s contest, the Montgomery Biscuits pitching staff was able to hold the Biloxi Shuckers at bay. However, the home team was able to put together their best single inning of the season, scoring seven runs in the fourth on their way to the 9-5 victory. Troy Stokes, Jr. had the big hit in the frame, clearing the bases with a double down the line and Blake Allemand finished a perfect 3-3 to help even the five get set against the Biscuits at 2-2.

Montgomery would take the lead in the top of the first, scoring three runs. With one down, Dalton Kelly lined a double in the left field before Nick Solak walked to put two on with one down. That brought Brett Sullivan to the plate, who lined a single up the middle, scoring Kelly to give the Biscuits the early lead. A groundout brought Solak home, and Sullivan would cross home plate on a double by Nathan Lukes to extend the lead to three.

In the bottom half of the first, Biloxi would get one of those runs back. Eduar Lopez retired the first two batters, but Jake Hager kept the inning alive with a double into center. Nick Franklin followed with a walk, and Blake Allemand delivered a clutch single, scoring Hagar to make it 3-1.

It would remain that way until the bottom of the fourth when the Biloxi Shuckers would take a commanding lead. Lopez was able to retire the first batter of the frame, but then gave up four straight hits. Franklin got it started with a double before Allemand singled to put runners at the corners. That brought Jake Gatewood to the plate, who grounded a base hit up the middle to score Franklin. Dylan Moore followed with a single of his own, scoring Allemand to tie the game. A sacrifice fly by Clint Coulter scored Gatewood and Biloxi would take the lead. Moore stole second before Tyler Heineman walked.

That would be the last batter for Lopez, as the Biscuits called upon Austin Wright. Moore stole third before Corey Ray walked to load the bases. That brought Troy Stokes, Jr. to the plate, who drilled a double down the line in left field. All three runners came around to score and the Shuckers had a commanding 8-3 lead. After Stokes stole third, he would score on a passed ball for the final run of the inning.  The Shuckers sent 11 men to the plate in the inning, scoring 7 runs.

In the seventh, Biloxi extended their lead to seven. With one down, Allemand delivered his third hit of the game and he would score on the two-out double by Moore to make it 9-3.

Montgomery responded with two runs of their own in the top of the eighth. Michael Russell singled to start the inning and moved to third on a Solak double. Two batters later, Brandon Lowe doubled into center field, scoring both runners to make it 9-5. That would be as close as the Biscuits would get.

Kodi Medeiros (2-0) earned the victory with 4 innings of relief. Troy Stokes, Jr. drove in 3 and scored a run. Stokes also had a stolen base. Blake Allemand finished 3-3 with 2 runs scored and an RBI. Dylan Moore was 2-4 with a run, 2 stolen bases, and 2 RBI. Brandon Lowe drove in two runs for the Biscuits.

The rubber match of this series is a late morning affair. Benton Moss (1-1, 3.24) will go for Montgomery. Thomas Jankins (3-0, 2.41) will be looking for his fourth win of the year. First pitch is scheduled for 10:35.

Boxscore

By Robert Pannier