Fort Myers Falls To Bradenton, 3-1

BRADENTON, FL (April 23, 2010)- After defeating the Bradenton Marauders for the first time of the 2010 season at Hammond Stadium on Thursday, Fort Myers could not get their offense in gear on Friday night, falling at McKechnie Field 3-1. With two men on and two men out, Bradenton closer Noah Krol induced an game-ending groundout to third against Miracle first-baseman Michael Harrington to seal the deal. It was his fourth save of the year.

The Miracle had numerous scoring opportunities on the night, stranding 12 runners on the bases, including nine in scoring position.

Down 2-0 in the fourth inning, the Miracle got their only run of the night with a little help from a defensive lapse by the Marauders. With Chris Herrmann at first, Dan Rohlfing hit a line drive down the third-base line into the corner and Bradenton left-fielder bobbled the ball which allowed Herrmann to score. It was Rohlfing's third double of the year.

Fort Myers had their biggest chance in the fifth against Marauders starting pitcher Nathan Adcock. Newcomer Brandon Roberts led off the inning reaching on a walk and then stole second base to get into scoring position. The next batter, Yangervis Solarte, struck out swinging at a pitch in the dirt but Bradenton catcher Tony Sanchez threw over the head of first baseman Calvin Anderson allowing Solarte to get all the way to second and Roberts to third. But with two runners in scoring position and no outs, Adcock retired the next three batters to finish the inning unscathed.

Adcock (2-1) pitched five strong innings, allowing one unearned run for his second win of the year. Both of his wins have come against the Miracle, with a loss in-between to the St. Lucie Mets.

The Marauders jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning against Miracle starter Bruce Pugh. With one out, Eric Fryer blasted a solo home run over the left field wall to get the Marauders on the board, followed by three consecutive singles to load the bases for Starling Marte. Bradenton would add their third and final run of the night in the fifth inning on a two out double by Tony Sanchez.

Miracle starter Bruce Pugh, who threw six innings - allowing all three runs on seven hits - picked up his third loss of the year.

Shooter Hunt pitched two perfect innings in relief, including three strikeouts. In his last two outings, Hunt has retired his last 15 batters in a row, 9 via strikeout. The last batter he faced had significance to him, as he struck out Marauders third-basemen Jeremy Farrell. Farrell, Hunt's freshman year college roommate at the University of Virginia, had hit a grand slam against Shooter back on opening night in the Miracle's 18-3 loss to Bradenton.

The Miracle (5-8) are now 1-5 against the Marauders (10-4) to open the season. Fort Myers returns Saturday night to host a three-game series against the Palm Beach Cardinals. Saturday night is "Faith Night at the Ballpark" with a post-game concert by New Method. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. with Kyle Gibson (1-1, 2.70) making his fourth start of the year.