Biloxi Shuckers

Biloxi Shuckers pull off the improbable, claim first-half championship

SUN HERALD - Biloxi Sun Herald

The Biloxi Shuckers continue to make their first season a memorable one.

The Southern League's newest member clinched the South Division first-half championship with a 9-0 victory over the second-place Mississippi Braves Sunday in Pearl to earn a spot in the playoffs. 

Sunday's championship is an amazing accomplishment for the Shuckers considering the team spent the first 54 games of the season on the road while Biloxi's MGM Park was under construction.

The Shuckers (39-24) will face the second-half winner of the South Division in a five-game playoff series, which will be held after the season concludes on Sept. 7. If they also manage to win the second half, they will take on the team that has the second best total record in the South.

The Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers didn't make its home debut at MGM Park in Biloxi until June 6, ending a two-month journey that included 2,606 miles traveled without hosting a genuine home game.

The Shuckers celebrated their title Sunday at Trustmark Park in Pearl, the home of the M-Braves (32-29) since 2005.

Shuckers left fielder Kyle Wren received a water bottle shower and manager Carlos Subero was doused with Gatorade by his players.

Shuckers pitcher Tyler Wagner tweeted out a celebratory photo after the game.

Starting pitcher Brooks Hall (7-3) put together one of the best performances of the season for the Shuckers on Sunday. The right-hander gave up two hits in eight innings, struck out five and walked one  to pick up the victory.

Biloxi broke open a scoreless game in the sixth on Sunday with five runs.

Orlando Arcia started the scoring with a two-run single in the sixth and Michael Reed followed with an RBI double. Tyrone Taylor added an RBI single and Adam Weisenburger capped the scoring with an RBI double to right field.

After six, the Shuckers led 5-0 and were well on their way to claiming the title.

With the win, the Shuckers clinched the series in Pearl by winning three of the first four games. The season finale is set for 7 p.m. tonight at Pearl.

Biloxi had a total of 15 hits in the game, including six players who had multiple hits. Third baseman Nathan Orf was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.

After an off day on Tuesday, the Shuckers will resume play with a 7:10 p.m. home game against the Montgomery Biscuits to begin a five-game series at MGM Park.

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