Marauders Rally Late, Drop Series Finale in Tampa 3-1

TAMPA, FL — The Bradenton Marauders offense came to life late on Sunday afternoon before falling 3-1 to the Tampa Tarpons at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The Tarpons win four out of the six games to take the series.

In his first start of the season, Connor Oliver (0-1) struck out four of the first five hitters before Hans Montero tripled to left field in the second. Coby Morales singled him home before Edinson Duran also tripled to left field to push the Tarpons ahead 2-0.

Ryan Harvey (1-2) gave up a double to Braylon Bishop and hit Axiel Plaz in the first before retiring the next 14 batters to end his outing. Rafelin Nivar entered out of the bullpen with one out in the sixth and allowed two singles to Bishop and Keiner Delgado before hitting Omar Alfonzo to load the bases. The southpaw induced an inning-ending double play to keep the Marauders off the scoreboard.

The scoreline remained the same until Montero hit a solo home run the opposite way into the short porch in right field to extend Tampa’s lead to 3-0.

Bradenton didn’t back down in the ninth against Ocean Gabonia. Delgado doubled and Alfonzo singled to begin the inning before Plaz hit a ball to the warning track in centerfield to score Delgado and cut the deficit to 3-1. Montana Semmel (SV,2) entered out of the bullpen to face Solomon Maguire, who singled through the left side of the infield to load the bases with one-out. With the tying run in scoring position, Kalae Harrison lined a ball back to the mound that was caught by Semmel who threw to third for a double play to end the game.

After an off day on Monday, the Marauders return home to LECOM Park to begin a six-game series against the Dunedin Blue Jays. First pitch on Tuesday is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 6:10 p.m. on the Marauders Broadcast Network.