The Lookouts scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to beat the Mississippi Braves 3-2 in Tuesday's series opener at Trustmark Park. Dominic Pitelli came up with the big, bases loaded single to drive in two after a single and two walks had loaded the bases.
The game started off rough for the Lookouts as Braves starter Lucas Braun struck out the Chattanooga side in the first two innings and was handed a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.
Riding momentum from a series win in Biloxi, the M-Braves (23-23, 54-60) plated two runs in the first inning. David Fletcher singled with one out, and David McCabe walked. Ethan Workinger hit a ground-rule double to right-center, bringing in Fletcher. McCabe came home on a ground out from Cody Milligan to make it a 1-0 game.
Braun started the third inning with his seventh strikeout, then surrendered his first hit on a double from Ruben Ibarra. Tyler Callihan singled in Ibarra to trim the lead to 2-1.
The Lookouts were led on the mound by starter Sam Benschoter who tossed five innings with four strikeouts and two runs allowed. Patrick Weigel retired all three Braves in the ninth inning, including two strikeouts, to earn his seventh save of the season.
The win improves the Lookouts to 33-77 on the season. Game two of the series will be Wednesday night.