Bradenton Splits Series at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - In the final game of a four game series on the road at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona, the Bradenton Marauders were able to hold on to a 7-4 win to claim the first and last games of the set against the Tortugas to earn a split. With a Palm Beach loss and Fort Myers win on Thursday, Bradenton remained tied for first place the Florida State League's North Division with the Miracle.

   After Daytona got on the board in the first inning against RHP Nick Economos in his fourth start with Bradenton, Economos was able to keep the Tortugas off the board and allowed only two more hits over the next 4.2 innings, finishing with three runs charged to him on three hits with six strikeouts. Bradenton's biggest offensive came frame when the broke on to the scoreboard in the fourth inning off Daytona starting pitcher RHP Austin Orewiler, who took the loss. After the Marauders plated three runs on four hits and drove Orewiler from the game, another pair of runs were plated in the sixth on four knocks and the visiting side's scoring was stopped after yet another two-run output in the top of the seventh inning. 

   RHP Logan Stoelke allowed the final two runs charged to Economos' line after coming in with the bases loaded and two outs on the board in the sixth inning. He allowed a single run on his own record on a Stewart Fairchild long ball in the home half of the eighth. RHP Nick Mears slammed the door in the ninth inning by retiring the side in order on just ten pitches, capped off by a looking strikeout to push the Marauders record to 34-25 with seven games left in the first half. 

    The Marauders return home for a three game set beginning Friday when the FSL best Dunedin Blue Jays travel to LECOM Park. RHP Max Kranick is scheduled to start in a 6:30 pm first pitch. Catch all the action with Matt Neverett on the Bradenton Marauders Baseball Network by visiting BradentonMarauders.com, TuneIn Radio, MiLB.tv, or the MiLB First Pitch app!