Klassen Shines in 6.0 but Threshers Snap Streak

WP: Yoldin De La Paz (2-0, 1.54)

LP: Chase Hopewell (0-1, 5.79)

SV: Landon Tomkins (2)

BOX SCORE

CLEARWATER, FL – George Klassen turned in another dominant start but, the Clearwater Beach Dogs (13-6, 0-1) were shut out in a 1-0 loss to the Bradenton Marauders (4-15) on Friday night at BayCare Ballpark. The Beach Dogs return as the Threshers to continue the series on Saturday evening.

Bradenton broke a scoreless tie in the eighth with a two-out solo home run by P.J. Hilson to open the scoring at 1-0. Bryson Ware and Trent Farquhar combined for an acrobatic one-handed double play to give the Beach Dogs some momentum going into the ninth.

The first two batters reached in the ninth, with Luis Caicuto reaching on a hit-by-pitch and Ware following with a single to put the tying run in scoring position. Unfortunately, Marauders closer Landon Tomkins retired the next three batters, completing the game in a 1-0 defeat.

Klassen tossed 6.0 shutout innings with eight strikeouts, allowing one walk and two hits in a no-decision. Andrew Schultz struck out the side in a 1-2-3 seventh. Chase Hopewell (0-1) took the loss with one run allowed on one hit, one walk, and two strikeouts in 2.0 innings of work.

Klassen has yet to allow an earned run in his first 21.0 innings as a pro...He became the first Beach Dogs pitcher to go 6.0 or more in a game since Jean Cabrera went 6.0 in game two of the FSL Championship series in September...Caicuto and Farquhar have now reached base in 11 straight games...Kotowski pinch-hit for VIars in the eighth...The Threshers continue a six-game homestand against the Bradenton Marauders on Saturday, April 27th with a 6:30 PM first pitch...You can purchase tickets for the Threshers season at ThreshersBaseball.com/tickets or by calling 727-467-4457…The Box Office at BayCare Ballpark is also open daily to purchase Threshers tickets…The hours are 10 AM-5 PM Monday through Friday and 10 AM-3 PM on Saturdays.