Marauders Mash Mussels to Salvage Series Split

BRADENTON, Fla. — A nine-run first inning put the Marauders in command for an eventual 18-9 slugfest victory over the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels on Sunday afternoon at LECOM Park.

Each of the Marauders’ (3-3) first seven batters in the inning recorded hits, including a two-run single by Dariel Lopez and three straight RBI-singles by Norkis Marcos, Alexander Mojica, and Maikol Escotto. Leadoff hitter Sammy Siani hit two doubles in the inning, including a two-run double in his second at-bat.

Siani enjoyed a career day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a team-leading five RBI and his first career home run, a two-run shot to right-center in the fifth inning. The Pirates first-round selection from 2019 became the first Marauders player to drive in five runs in a game since Dylan Busby on August 27, 2019.

Escotto and Lopez drove in four runs each for Bradenton, while Mojica collected three RBI, including a two-run homer in the fifth, his team-leading second home run of the season.

The Marauders scored at least one run in each inning from the first through the sixth. The 18-run total was the Marauders’ highest since May 12, 2017, when Bradenton pulled out a 20-2 win over Palm Beach.

Oliver Mateo (1-1) earned the win in relief for the Marauders, tossing an inning and one-third scoreless behind starter Adrian Florencio.

Four more Marauders relievers took the mound as the Mighty Mussels (3-3) gained momentum in the later innings. Rehabbing Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Austin Davis joined the fold, pitching the fifth and sixth innings and limiting Fort Myers to one run while striking out four.

The Mussels hassled left-hander Estalin Ortiz for a six-run seventh inning, including a three-run homer by Yunior Severino and a two-run shot by Jeferson Morales. Steven Jennings entered and recorded a strikeout and an inning-ending double play, preventing the Mighty Mussels from batting around in the inning. Jennings returned for the eighth, allowing just one run before giving way to Logan Hofmann, who pitched a clean ninth inning to end the game.

Starter Sawyer Gipson-Long (0-1) absorbed the loss for Fort Myers, facing eight batters and recording only one out in the first inning after surrendering seven runs.

The Marauders return to action Tuesday at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Fla. to open a six-game series against the Dunedin Blue Jays with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. RHP Luis Ortiz (0-0, 3.00 ERA) will start for Bradenton against a yet-to-be-announced Dunedin starter.