BILOXI, MS – The Biloxi Shuckers used a six-run explosion in the first two innings to overpower the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in Game 2 of the Southern League Division Series, 8-3 to sweep the best-of-three set at Keesler Federal Park on Thursday night. The victory means the Shuckers move onto the Southern League Championship for the first time since 2019.
The Shuckers struck for three homers across the first two frames to score the game’s first six runs, including a two-run, 97 mph, 378-foot blast from Jesús Made in the first, followed by a Matthew Wood two-run, 103 mph, 368-foot shot and a Braylon Payne two-run, 117 mph, 379-foot laser in the second. Payne’s 117 mph ball off the bat represented the hardest ball hit by a Shucker this season. Payton Green got the Blue Wahoos on the board in the fifth with a sacrifice fly to make it 6-1. Pensacola picked up two more runs in the seventh on back-to-back RBI base knocks by Fenwick Trimble and Max Williams, but Wood provided some insurance for Biloxi in the home half with a two-run single.
Matthew Wood (2-for-3, 4rbi) accounted for half of the runs driven in and has totaled six this postseason through two contests. Jesús Made (2-for-4, 2rbi) and Braylon Payne (1-for-5, 2rbi) also put up multiple RBIs, while Wood, Made and Mike Boeve (2-for-3) each collected a pair of hits in the clincher.
J.D. Thompson (1-0) picked up his first win with the Shuckers, while Eliazar Dishmey was on the downside and Stiven Cruz (2.1ip, 0r) collected the save after a scoreless outing.
The Shuckers road to their first Southern League Championship continues when the Championship Series commences on Sunday, September 20 at Keesler Federal Park for Game 1. Biloxi battles the Rocket City Trash Pandas for the first time ever in postseason play, where both squads seek their first title in franchise history. The Shuckers and Trash Pandas start the best-of-three series at 6:35 p.m. on Sunday. Coverage begins at 6:15 p.m. with the On-Deck Show on the Biloxi Shuckers Radio Network and The Hype 100.9.
Fans can save up to 50% off day-of-game pricing by securing their 2026 season membership. Season Memberships, Mini Plans and group outings are available now by visiting biloxishuckers.com, the ballpark offices and by calling (228) 233-3465. Fans can also receive more information regarding the full promotion schedule and single-game tickets on the Shuckers website.
ABOUT THE BILOXI SHUCKERS:
The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Shuckers are members of the Southern League and play at Keesler Federal Park in Biloxi, Mississippi. For more information, please visit biloxishuckers.com and follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.
ABOUT SHUCKERS BASEBALL, LLC:
Shuckers Baseball, LLC is a MS entity owned and operated by John Tracy. Shuckers Baseball operates the Biloxi Shuckers baseball franchise, including operating Keesler Federal Park for Biloxi Shuckers minor league baseball games and other entertainment and recreational events.