Cedric Hunter went 3-for-5 with 5 RBI,
photo by Tim Evearitt
PEARL, MS -- The Mississippi Braves took a combined no hitter into the seventh before giving up a one-out single en route to a 14-1 victory over the Chattanooga Lookouts. Cedric Hunter went 3-for-5 with five RBI and three runs scored to lead the M-Braves offensively.
Mississippi (37-26) scored 14 runs on 11 hits while Chattanooga (25-39) plated one unearned run on four hits, three of those coming in the ninth inning. Gustavo Nunez and Seth Loman had two hits apiece. Mitch Atkins (1-0) tossed six hitless innings, giving up just one walk. He struck out seven batters and notched the win.
The M-Braves took a 1-0 lead in the third. Barrett Kleinknecht was hit by a pitch and stole second. An Atkins sacrifice bunt moved Kleinknecht to third to set up Nunez's RBI-single to right field.
Loman doubled and Kyle Kubitza was intentionally walked to start the fourth. A ground out moved runners up to second and third. Kleinknecht then drilled a two-run single to right field, extending the M-Braves lead to 3-0. Nunez reached on an error, allowing Kleinknecht to score and make it a 4-0 game. With the bases loaded, Hunter ripped a triple to right. Loman then singled to give the Braves an 8-0 advantage.
Hunter blasted a home run off the roof of the Farm Bureau Grill in right field to extend the Braves lead to 9-0 in the bottom of the sixth.
The M-Braves added three runs in the eighth. Nunez and Derrick Mitchell singled to start the frame. Hunter then doubled to right, plating Nunez. Loman reached on an error, allowing both runners to score and give the Braves a 12-0 lead. The Braves added two more before the inning ended to make it 14-0.
Chattanooga added one run on three hits and a sacrifice fly in the ninth to make it a 14-1 contest.
Matt Shelton (2-1) gave up six runs, three earned, on three hits and a walk. He struck out three in 3.2 innings pitched and took the loss.
Box
Recap
In Monday night's series finale at Trustmark Park, M-Braves righty Aaron Northcraft (7-2, 2.88) counters Lookouts right-hander Raydel Sanchez (0-4, 9.13). First pitch is slated for 8:00 PM.
Chattanooga Lookouts (25-39): 1 R 4 H 4 E
Mississippi Braves (37-26): 14 R 11 H 3 E
Matt Shelton was the losing pitcher for Chattanooga.
photo by Tim Evearitt