M-Braves Best Biscuits 7-6 in Back-and-Forth Series Opener

May 17, 2023 – Southern League (SL) – Mississippi Braves News Release

MONTGOMERY, AL – The Mississippi Braves (15-18) bested the Montgomery Biscuits (17-17) 7-6 in the series opener on Tuesday night at Riverwalk Stadium. The game featured four lead changes with the M-Braves scoring five of the final seven combined runs. The M-Braves have won six straight games.

First pitch came at 7:32 p.m. due to a storm system moving through the area. In the first frame, Justin Dean reached third base on a throwing error. Dean then showed off his speed, scoring on a sacrifice fly from Tyler Tolve that barely left the right side of the infield. Dean beat the throw from the second baseman to make it 1-0. The Biscuits answered with two runs in the bottom of the first to lead 2-1 after an inning.

Cal Conley tied the game with RBI base hit to left field to make it 2-2 in the third. Conley went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI. Atlanta’s No. 13 prospect has reached base safely in seven straight games.

Ronny Simon smashed a two-run double to dead center to put the Biscuits back in front 4-2 in the fourth.

In the fifth, Conley doubled, and Dean walked to put two runners on. Jesse Franklin V unloaded on a three-run homer to right to put retake the lead at 5-4. Franklin V has two home runs in five games since being reinstated from the injured list.

The M-Braves picked up another run on an RBI double from Andrew Moritz to make it 6-4. Moritz roped a ball down the first-base line to score Drew Lugbauer. Moritz went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.

The Biscuits refused to go away, scoring two runs in the seventh with the help of an error, a walk and a balk to tie the game at 6-6.

Lugbauer led off the eighth with a triple to the right-field corner, and Cade Bunnell knocked him in with a line drive to right field to make it 7-6 M-Braves. Lugbauer went 2-for-3 with his second triple in four games.

Trey Riley pitched a scoreless eighth, and Alec Barger closed the door with the help of a diving catch from Landon Stephens for his fourth save of the season. Barger has yet to allow a run in 15 innings over 11 relief appearances this season.

The second game of the series is on Wednesday at Riverwalk Stadium. LHP Luis De Avila (1-2, 2.59) for Mississippi while LHP Jacob Lopez (0-0, 2.88) makes the start for Montgomery. The first pitch is at 6:35 pm CT, with coverage starting 15 minutes before on 102.1 The Box, First Pitch App, and Bally Live.

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