Threshers Split Doubleheader in Lakeland

WP: Cale Wetwiska (4-0, 2.66)

LP: Brad Pacheco (6-8, 3.98)

GAME ONE BOX SCORE

LAKELAND, FL – After falling behind early in each of the first two games, the Clearwater Threshers (68-53, 28-27) salvaged a split of Thursday night’s doubleheader with a game two win 11-6 following an 8-2 win from the Lakeland Flying Tigers (60-60, 29-26) in game one at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Clearwater looks to build off this winning momentum when they return to Lakeland for a Friday night rematch.

Lakeland started the scoring in the bottom of the first inning; a two-run double and sacrifice fly gave the Flying Tigers a 3-0 lead after the opening frame. The Threshers got a pair of hits from Reece Moroney and Will Gasparino before the rain came after the top of the fourth inning. Before the bottom of the fourth began, the game went into a rain delay due to inclement weather, and the game was suspended until Thursday afternoon.

Upon the resumption of Wednesday’s game, the Threshers rallied within one run when they picked up in the top of the fifth inning. With two outs in the frame, Lane Haworth smacked a double down the left-field line for the Threshers’ first extra-base hit of the series. He scored the first run of the game on the next pitch when Cardoza singled up the middle. Reece Moroney followed with a hard line drive that ricocheted off the leg of Lakeland’s reliever Cale Wetwiska. Cardoza took advantage of the commotion and sped around the bases to score from first on the deflected single to cut the deficit to one run.

Lakeland got both runs back in the bottom of the sixth inning, returning their lead to three runs. They doubled their lead with a two-run home run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Another home run led off the bottom of the eighth inning for Lakeland, extending their lead to six runs. The Threshers went down in order in the ninth as Lakeland took game one by an 8-2 margin.

Brad Pacheco (6-8) tossed 3.0 innings with three runs allowed on four hits, striking out six and walking two to take the loss. Kyler Carmack retired all three batters he faced with two strikeouts in 1.0 inning. Jacob Pruitt surrendered two runs on four hits with one walk and three strikeouts in 2.0 innings. Wilmer Blanco struck out three batters in 2.0 innings but gave up three runs on three hits.

GAME TWO BOX SCORE

WP: Manuel Colon (3-0, 8.10)

LP: Leonardo Rossell (0-1, 10.13)

Will Gasparino bunted on the first pitch of the second game, leading off game two with a base hit. He stole second base and advanced to third on a groundout by Tyler Spangler. With two outs in the inning, Caden Bogenpohl hit a short ground ball back up the middle. Lakeland’s starter, Carlos Rodriguez, misfired on his throw to first, allowing Gasparino to score the first run of the game on the throwing error. Lakeland tied the score on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the second inning, squaring the game at one run apiece.

Four runs on five hits in the bottom of the third for the Flying Tigers opened up Lakeland’s lead to 5-1 after three innings. Lakeland added another run on a pair of doubles in the home half of the fourth inning, increasing their advantage to five runs. Clearwater began their comeback in the fifth inning, when Nolan Beltran drew a walk to leadoff the frame. Matt Quintanar singled him to second before a fielder’s choice advanced Beltran to third base. A passed ball by Lakeland catcher Michael Oliveto brought Beltran home for the first run of the fifth inning.

Jack Hopko singled Climie over to second before Tyler Spangler was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Jonathan Hogart followed with a groundout to third that was mishandled by Jack Goodman and then an errant throw to first brought home two runs to cut the Lakeland lead in half. Spangler made it to third on the error, later scoring on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to one run.

Beltran started another rally in the next inning, leading off the top of the sixth with a double to the left field wall. Quintanar followed with a single that moved Beltran to third base before Cade Climie drove Beltran home with a single to tie the game. Hopko picked up the go-ahead RBI with a double, scoring Quintanar from second to give Clearwater their first lead since the first inning. Hopko advanced to third on a wild pitch before the first out in the inning, before Spangler drove home Climie on an RBI single. Hogart singled, and Caden Bogenpohl worked a walk to load the bases for Matthew Ferrara, who drew a bases-loaded walk to score Hopko to cap off a five-run sixth.

Climie walked to kick off the top of the seventh inning and moved to second on another Hopko single. After the first out, Lakeland reliever Jonathan Rogers threw a wild pitch, advancing Climie to third and Hopko to second. Spangler scored Climie on a sacrifice fly to center field to make it a five-run Threshers lead. Lakeland got a baserunner in the ninth, but three strikeouts from Orlando Gonzalez sealed the victory as the Threshers split the twin bill with an 11-6 win in game two.

Cole Gilley surrendered five runs on five hits with one walk and two strikeouts in 3.0 innings of a no-decision. Manuel Colon (3-0) earned the win in 2.0 innings, allowing one run on two hits with one walk and two strikeouts. Luis Avila struck out one and walked one in 1.0 scoreless, hitless inning. Orlando Gonzalez allowed a hit but struck out the side in the seventh inning.

Moroney has recorded at least one hit in all but two of his first eight games as a pro...Pacheco struck out five of the final eight batters he faced on Wednesday...Haworth doubled in the fifth inning of game one for his first professional hit...Hopko recorded his first multi-hit game as a pro in game two...Spangler recorded his first career multi-RBI game with two RBIs...Clearwater's game two win was their first in Lakeland since August 9, 2024...The Threshers will continue a six-game road series against the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Friday, August 28...First pitch on Friday evening 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.