Behind the third-longest playoff start in franchise history from former Mississippi State pitcher K.C. Hunt, the Biloxi Shuckers staved off elimination in game two of the Southern League Division Series with a 5-1 win over the Montgomery Biscuits on Thursday night.
The win in Montgomery marked Biloxi’s first in the playoffs in over five years as Hunt continued to prove that he’s one of the best pitching prospects in the Milwaukee Brewers farm system.
After allowing a hit in the first, Hunt retired 11 in a row before a single in the fifth was erased when Brayden Taylor was caught stealing. The right-hander, who had only pitched into the eighth inning once in his minor league career, clocked 7.2 innings of work that included three hits and just one earned run. The former Bulldog struck out five along the way.
Hunt’s performance marked the first time a Shuckers starting pitcher had recorded an out in the eighth inning since Dylan File went 8.1 innings in game two of the Southern League Division Series against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Sept. 14, 2019.
Reliever Blake Hoplub subbed in for Hunt and retired four of the final five batters he faced, securing the win for Hunt and forcing a game three on Friday. As of last week, Hunt had moved up to the No. 29 spot for Milwaukee prospects, meaning his days in the big leagues may be sooner rather than later.
Offensively, the Shuckers capitalized on Montgomery’s mistakes. Senatobia native Cooper Pratt, Darien Miller, and Zavier Warren combined for five walks and four hits. Connor Scott and Nick Kahle had two RBI apiece while Pratt knocked in one run.
What made the night even more Mississippi is that the Biscuits’ lone run came off the bat of Southern Miss alum Matthew Etzel, who hit a single to score Xavier Isaac from second.
Friday’s first pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. CT from Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery. The winner will advance while the loser’s season will come to an end. Tickets can be purchased here.
