Former MCC-er, Pope, homers for M-Braves

Former Meridian Community College baseball player Van Pope homered to back a strong outing by Jo-Jo Reyes as the Mississippi Braves beat Birmingham 2-1 today before an announced 2,715 at Trustmark Park.

The M-Braves (12-5) climbed ahead of the Barons (11-6) into first place in the Southern League's South Division.

For Pope, a former MCC standout, he belted his first HR in the fifth inning.

Reyes (1-0) pitched seven innings of four-hit ball. Joey Devine pitched the ninth for his second save.

The teams play again Monday night at 7:05 at the TeePee.