PEARL, MS – John Gant struck out nine batters and held the Montgomery Biscuits to just one hit through six innings to lead the Mississippi Braves to a 3-2 victory Wednesday at Trustmark Park. The series concludes Thursday at 7 p.m.

Gant (2-0) struck out five of the first seven batters he faced. He walked two batters and picked up his second victory. In two starts since joining the M-Braves, he’s allowed just one earned run on three hits and four walks while recording 16 strikeouts in 11.2 innings of work.

Mississippi (22-17, 55-52) scored three runs on six hits while Montgomery (21-17, 55-51) plated two runs on four hits. Emerson Landoni had two hits at the plate. KD Kang, Rio Ruiz and Sean Godfrey each drove in a run.

The M-Braves took a 1-0 lead in the second. Ruiz doubled and moved to third on a Kevin Ahrens base hit to left field. Godfrey then delivered a single to right, scoring Ruiz.

In the bottom of the third, Landoni and Levi Hyams both walked to start the inning. Landoni stole third and scored on Kang’s single to right field. David Rohm, who reached when Hyams was forced out at second, later scored on a Rio Ruiz ground out to extend the M-Braves lead to 3-0.

Montgomery got on the board in the eighth. Hector Guevara and Juniel Querecuto both walked to start the inning before Patrick Leonard drew a one-out walk to load the bases. After a pitching change and a strikeout, Dayron Varona delivered a two-run single to make it a one-run game.

Jorge Reyes worked 1.1 innings but allowed two earned runs. Kyle Kinman (S, 3) came on to record the finale five outs and notch the save. He struck out two batters.

Jake Faria (3-3) gave up three earned runs on four hits and four walks. He struck out three batters in three innings pitched for the Biscuits. Parker Markel worked three innings in relief, giving up one hit and a walk. Matt Lollis and Mark Sappington worked the seventh and eighth frames, respectively.

In Thursday night’s series finale at Trustmark Park, the M-Braves send righty Lucas Sims (0-2, 8.49) to the hill against Biscuits right-hander Jaimie Schultz (6-5, 3.96). First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m.

by M-Braves Sports Media Relations