Marauders Thump Jays in Series Opener

Bradenton, Fla.--- The Marauders (28-24) and the Blue Jays (25-27) met for the opener of a six-game series at LECOM Park on Tuesday evening. Bradenton scored early and would score often as they put up ten runs and followed solid pitching to a commanding 10-3 win to open the homestand.

The bottom of the first inning saw Jack Brannigan drive a ball deep down the left field long that cleared the wall easily for a two-run home run, Brannigan's second of the season, to give the Marauders an early 2-0 lead.

The Marauders added another two runs in the second; Geovanny Planchart and Jack Brannigan collected RBI in the frame to push the Bradenton lead to 4-0.

Dunedin halved the Marauder's lead when they picked up two runs in the top of the third thanks to a two-RBI single off the bat of Jaden Rudd to put the scoreline at 4-2 with two and a half innings played.

Bradenton exploded for four runs in the bottom of the fourth to put the game away essentially. Jack Brannigan and Rodolfo Nolasco blasted two-run jacks in the frame to put the lead to 8-2.

The Jays collected a consolation run in the top of the fifth before the Marauders plated two more in the home half of the inning. Jack Branning smoked a run-scoring double down the right-field line in the inning and finished the day with an outstanding 3-5 line at the plate with two home runs, a double, and six RBI.

Owen Sharts, Carlos Lomeli, and Darvin Garcia shut the Jays down in the later innings, with Sharts earning his first win at the Single-A level for his effort.

The Marauders made it three consecutive wins with the 10-3 triumph and will look to keep the good times rolling on Wednesday night at LECOM Park.