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Pitching Powers Threshers to Shutout Win 

Klassen Ks Eight, Pitching Staff Holds Fort Myers to Eight Hits
George Klassen fires a pitch home in a Threshers shutout win against Fort Myers (Tori Heck)
April 12, 2024

WP: George Klassen (2-0, 0.00) LP: Jeremy Lee (1-1, 2.08) SV: Paxton Thompson (1) CLEARWATER, FL – George Klassen’s 5.0 shutout innings led a lights out pitching performance as the Clearwater Threshers (5-2) struck out 15 en route to a 3-0 victory over the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (3-4) on

WP: George Klassen (2-0, 0.00)

LP: Jeremy Lee (1-1, 2.08)

SV: Paxton Thompson (1)

CLEARWATER, FL – George Klassen’s 5.0 shutout innings led a lights out pitching performance as the Clearwater Threshers (5-2) struck out 15 en route to a 3-0 victory over the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (3-4) on Friday night at BayCare Ballpark. The Threshers look for the series win when they return to action against the Mighty Mussels on Saturday night.

Pitching dominated the game until the fifth inning, which began with a leadoff double by Luis Caicuto off Fort Myers' starter Jeremy Lee. Caicuto moved to third on a flyout and scored on an RBI single by Devin Saltiban to put the Threshers on the board with a 1-0 lead.

Caicuto walked to start the seventh and was replaced on first by Keaton Anthony on a fielder’s choice. He moved to second on a wild pitch during Saltiban’s at-bat, who walked to put two runners on base for Aidan Miller. Miller launched a towering fly ball to left, eluding the glove of Mighty Mussels left fielder Jose Rodriguez to drop for an RBI double that scored Anthony. Saltiban came across on a Pierce Bennett RBI groundout to make it 3-0 two at bats later.

The Threshers bullpen continued the pitcher's duel, combining for seven strikeouts in the final four frames to seal the shutout at 3-0.

Klassen (2-0) earned the win in 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing two walks and two hits with eight strikeouts. Jaydenn Estanista went 2.0 shutout innings with five strikeouts and one hit allowed. Trey Dillard retired all three batters he faced with two strikeouts in 1.0 scoreless and hitless inning. Paxton Thompson pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for the save.

Friday’s win was the first shutout win of the year for the Threshers...Miller extended his hit streak to six-straight games...He tied Kehden Hettiger for the team lead with his sixth RBI of the season...Caicuto is now tied for the league lead with four doubles...Klassen has not allowed a run through his first 10.0 innings as a pro...Estanista equaled Jose Peña’s team-high of five strikeouts out of the bullpen...The Threshers continue their series against the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels on Saturday, April 13th 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.