PEARL – After a three-day all-star break, the Mississippi Braves and Blue Wahoos kicked off the second half of the season at Trustmark Park Thursday evening. Pensacola jumped out to an early lead and went on to defeat the M-Braves 9-3. The series continues Friday at 7 p.m.

Mississippi (0-1, 33-36) scored three runs on nine hits while Pensacola (1-0, 26-43) plated nine runs on 14 hits. Sean Buckley led the Blue Wahoos offensively with a 3-for-5 night at the plate. Jesse Winker, Seth Mejias-Brean and Wandy Peralta each had two RBIs on the night.

The Blue Wahoos took a 2-0 lead in the second. Yovan Gonzalez reached on a force out and Beau Amaral singled to get things started with two outs. Peralta then delivered a two-run triple to right field, giving Pensacola the early lead.

Mejias-Brean walked to lead off the third before Marquez Smith blasted a two-run home run to left field, extending Pensacola’s lead to 4-0.

Pensacola added two more in the fourth to make it 6-0. Amaral reached with a base hit to right and took second on a sacrifice bunt. Zach Vincej the reached on a fielder’s choice, cutting down Amaral at third on the play. Winker then homered to right field.

The M-Braves got on the board in the fifth. Emerson Landoni singled and Levi Hyams walked. Matt Kennelly then doubled to center field, driving home Landoni to make it a 6-1 game. David Rohm followed with a RBI, pinch-hit single to center. Matt Lipka later grounded out, allowing Kennelly to score from third and cut the Blue Wahoos’ lead to 6-3.

Juan Silva doubled to lead off the eighth for Pensacola. He stole third and came home to score on an error by the catcher to extend the Blue Wahoos lead to 7-3.

Pensacola added two final runs in the ninth to make it a 9-3 contest.

Wandy Peralta (3-6) gave up three earned runs on eight hits and three walks over five frames to pick up the win. Greg Ross (2-7) tossed four innings, allowing six earned runs on eight hits and a walk. He gave up two long balls and struck out two batters.

In game two of this five-game series, the M-Braves send right-hander Victor Mateo (3-4, 2.71) to the hill against Wahoos righty Daniel Wright (3-5, 5.91). First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m.

By M-Braves Media Relations