Gasparino Scores Three Runs but Threshers Fall Short

Fifth-Round Selection Matches Season-Best Two Hits in 9-4 Loss

Phillies fifth-rounder Will Gasparino slides into second base for a steal for the Clearwater Threshers. (Nathan Ray)

By Josh Sperber

August 16, 2026

WP: Jake Covey (2-0, 0.00) LP: Zuher Yousuf (3-3, 5.81) BOX SCORE FORT MYERS, FL – Despite scoring the first run of the game, the Clearwater Threshers (65-47, 25-21) couldn’t hang onto their lead as they fell 9-4 on Sunday afternoon to the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (62-50, 25-22) at

WP: Jake Covey (2-0, 0.00)

LP: Zuher Yousuf (3-3, 5.81)

BOX SCORE

FORT MYERS, FL – Despite scoring the first run of the game, the Clearwater Threshers (65-47, 25-21) couldn’t hang onto their lead as they fell 9-4 on Sunday afternoon to the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (62-50, 25-22) at Hammond Stadium in the Lee Health Sports Complex. The Threshers will begin a seven-game homestand on Tuesday at BayCare Ballpark.

Will Gasparino drew a walk against Mighty Mussels’ starter Callan Fang to lead off the top of the first inning for the Threshers. He stole second before advancing to third base on Reece Moroney’s single. With one out in the frame, Macon Winslow grounded out to second base, allowing Gasparino to score from third and plate the first run of the ballgame. The Mighty Mussels responded with four runs in the home half of the first inning to take a three-run lead.

Phillies second-round pick Caden Bogenpohl connects on a base hit during his debut season for the Clearwater Threshers.Nathan Ray

Clearwater got one run back in the top of the third inning, which began with back-to-back hits by Moroney and Gasparino. Moreney’s hit moved Gasparino to third, where he scored on a sacrifice fly by Caden Bogenpohl to cut the deficit to two runs. Fort Myers immediately got the run back in the home half of the third, returning their lead to three runs. They padded their lead by two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to make it 7-2 Fort Myers after four frames.

Gasparino tripled to lead off the top of the fifth inning, remaining on third when Moroney reached on an error. Bogenpohl ripped a single to right to plate Gasparino and Macon Winslow drove in Moroney with a single to left, cutting the deficit to three runs. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, a two-run single by Mighty Mussels’ second baseman Colby Turner returned Fort Myers to their largest lead of the day at five runs. Neither team scored after the seventh, and the Threshers dropped the finale 9-4.

Phillies 17th-round pick Richie Cortese fires a scoreless inning during a relief outing for the Clearwater Threshers.Nathan Ray

Zuher Yousuf (3-3) took the loss in 3.1 innings, surrendering six runs on eight hits with two walks and one strikeout. Tyler Bowen allowed one unearned run on one hit and three walks with two strikeouts in 1.2 innings of relief. James Tallon gave up two runs on three hits, walking one and striking out two in 2.0 innings. Richie Cortese walked one batter in a scoreless and hitless eighth inning.

Quintanar has hit safely in four straight games...Cardoza made his first career start at third base...Gasparino hit his first career triple to lead off the fifth...Bogenpohl picked up his third multi-RBI game through his first eleven as a pro...Winslow recorded his second multi-hit game since joining the Threshers...The Threshers will begin a seven-game home series against the Dunedin Blue Jays on Tuesday, August 18...First pitch on Tuesday afternoon will take place at 6:30 pm...You can purchase Threshers tickets at ThreshersBaseball.com/tickets or by calling 727-467-4457…The BayCare Ballpark Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 10 am – 5 pm...The box office will be open on Saturdays from 10 am - 3 pm...Visit our website at threshersbaseball.com for information on tickets and promotions for the Threshers season.