Near No-Hitter Keys Marauders Victory
McPherson sat down the first 25 batters he faced, allowing only Sarasota High School grad Scooter Gennett to reach on his own error in the fourth. Gennett was erased two batters later on a double play. The no-hitter ended up getting spoiled with only two outs left. Brevard County catcher McCraw shot his first homerun of the season over the right field fence on an 0-1 curveball to end the gem and the shutout.
McPherson would then walk Gennett two batters later, but finish with a groundout of Kentrail Davis to wrap up the complete game. It was the first nine-inning complete game in Marauders history.
McPherson's final line read one run on one hit over nine innings with a walk and six strikeouts. McPherson picked up 10 groundouts, five lineouts and six flyouts in addition to the K's. He struck out the side in the eighth. It would have been McPherson's first ever nine-inning no-hitter.
On the offensive side Bradenton scored a lone run in each the fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth. In the first three instances it was the leadoff man that scored. Jarek Cunningham began with a double in the fourth to score. David Rubinstein doubled before touching home in the fifth and Ramon Cabrera scored after walking in the sixth. Aaron Baker and Elevys Gonzalez hit back-to-back doubles to score in the eighth. Gonzalez finished with three RBI and Robbie Grossman had one.
The win goes to McPherson (4-1) and the loss to Maverick Lasker (1-6), who allowed only three runs over five and one third innings pitched. Both teams are now 20-32.
The Marauders and Manatees continue their two-game series Wednesday at 7pm. Radio coverage beings at 6:45 as Phillip Irwin battles Kyle Heckathorn. It's also Plunder-Your-Hunger at McKechnie Field with fans able to purchase a $5 wristband and access to an All-You-Can-Eat menu. For more information call 941-747-3031 or visit BradentonMaruaders.com.