Heading into the championship series, the Montgomery Biscuits certainly had an advantage over the Birmingham Barons, as they went 10-2 against the Barons in head-to-head matchups in 2024. In fact, the last two times they played each other, Birmingham was shutout and were outscored, 8-0.

The momentum shifted this time around, however, as the Barons were able to snag the lead in the top of the first, and capitalized where possible throughout the game to defeat the Biscuits, 7-2. Birmingham returns home for Game 2, where a win will clinch the Southern League title.

The Barons started off strong offensively with a Mario Camilletti double, who was then driven in by Wilfred Veras, who tripled on a roped liner over the center fielder’s head to get the early 1-0 lead. Veras had a great day at the plate, going 4-for-5, scoring once and driving in another.

The Barons added three more in the top of the fourth after a two-run single from Shawn Goosenberg and a sac fly from Camilletti. Noah Schultz had thrown for three strong innings, but in the bottom of the fourth things started to get a bit rocky, and the extra runs proved to be a necessity. Schultz didn’t have his best start, but he went for 3 1/3 innings and gave up two runs on four hits, also walking one and striking out six.

Barons 3, Biscuits 0 | Top 4 Game 1 | Shawn Goosenberg with the 2 RBI single#bhambarons pic.twitter.com/rMbFLcaJTL

— Birmingham Barons (@BhamBarons) September 22, 2024

The bullpen was also able to pick Schultz up on a tough outing, as Garrett Schoenle came in to clean up the fourth inning for him and threw for another two efficient innings after that — walking one in his 2 2/3 innings, striking out three and earning the win. Zach Franklin gave up a hit and a walk in the bottom of the seventh, but was able to get out of it without any harm being done.

As the Birmingham offense started cooking again in the top of the seventh after a base hit from Veras and a double from DJ Gladney, Montgomery learned the hard way about what can happen when you intentionally walk the wrong person. The Biscuits put Nick Podkul on first to load the bases and create a force out, to get Jacob Gonzalez up to bat with two outs. Gonzalez, who has been clutch all postseason, promptly smashed a double to left to clear the bases and increase the Barons lead to 7-2. The 2023 first-rounder would end up going 3-for-5. You live and learn, Montgomery!

Barons 7, Biscuits 2 | Top 7 Game 1 | Jacob Gonzalez hits clearing bases double before intentional walk to Pokul to load the bases.#bhambarons pic.twitter.com/f20dtSALcB

— Birmingham Barons (@BhamBarons) September 22, 2024

Jake Palisch had a clean inning to hold down the eighth and maintain the five-run lead heading into the ninth. The Biscuits nearly dug a bigger hole in the top of the ninth, loading the bases after a single and two walks, but were able to get out of it on a Matt Hogan strikeout to get out of the inning.

Barons righthander Eric Adler, who closed out last series’ clinching game on Friday, also closed this one out nearly in order, giving up one hit with two outs before sealing the win.

If Birmingham fails to clinch the SL title on Tuesday evening, Game 3 stays right at Regions Field on  Wednesday.

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Wilfred Veras photo: Tiffany Wintz/Sox Populi