Threshers Snap Mussels’ Winning Streak in 3-2 Sunday Finale

September 4, 2023

CLEARWATER, Fla. (September 3, 2023) – The Mighty Mussels’ eight game winning streak was snapped Sunday after they mustered just four hits in their 3-2 loss to the Clearwater Threshers at BayCare Ballpark. Mussels’ pitching continued to dominate as starter Ben Ethridge (3-6) tossed five soli innings. Relievers Samuel Perez,

CLEARWATER, Fla. (September 3, 2023) – The Mighty Mussels’ eight game winning streak was snapped Sunday after they mustered just four hits in their 3-2 loss to the Clearwater Threshers at BayCare Ballpark.

Mussels’ pitching continued to dominate as starter Ben Ethridge (3-6) tossed five soli innings. Relievers Samuel Perez, Nolan Santos, and Juan Mendez combined to allow just two base runners over three shutout frames. Over the last three games, the Mussels (65-60, 31-28) have allowed just five runs.

With no score in the top of the third, Maddux Houghton grounded a single to right and then stole second and third. After Jay Harry walked to place runners at the corners, he took off for second which forced a throw to second from Clearwater (76-48, 31-27) catcher Jared Thomas. In the process, Houghton took off for home and scored to give the Mussels a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth, Jared Thomas was hit by a pitch to begin the frame. The next hitter was Troy Schreffler, who cracked a liner to the gap in right center. As the ball rolled to the wall, it got stuck in the base of the fence which allowed Schreffler to circle to bases for a two-run inside-the-park home run that gave the Threshers a 2-1 lead. Later in the frame, Trent Farquhar walked and Raylin Heredia singled. After the two advanced to second and third on a balk, Chad Castillo sent a sacrifice fly to left to extend the Clearwater lead to 3-1.

In the top of the eighth, the Mussels began to chip away when Dillon Tatum led off the frame with a walk. After two ground outs advanced Tatum to third, Walker Jenkins lined a single to center to cut the deficit to 3-2.

With the loss, the Threshers secured a split in the season series, with each team winning 10 of the 20 meetings in 2023.

The Mussels will enjoy their final off day of the season Monday before beginning a six-game series with the Bradenton Marauders at Hammond Stadium on Tuesday. First pitch is slated for 7:00 p.m. with coverage beginning at 6:45 p.m. on the Mighty Mussels Baseball Network.