'Tugas set single-season attendance record in abrupt finale

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - On Thursday night, the Daytona Tortugas set a new franchise record for single-season attendance with 137,570 fans welcomed at Jackie Robinson Ballpark during the 2019 season. However, the St. Lucie Mets won the abrupt season-finale by a final of 3-0 in front of a crowd of 2,394.

The new watermark of 137,570 outdoes the original franchise-high which was set in the Tortugas' inaugural season of 2015. In that campaign, Daytona welcomed 137,224 fans to The Jack.
St. Lucie (36-32, 68-66) jumped out an early advantage in the top of the first. Following a two-out walk and a stolen base by 2B Carlos Cortés (1-2, R, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB), RF Wagner Lagrange (1-3, RBI, BB) hit a looper into shallow right. The ball dunked in for a base-hit, as Cortés scored from second to put the Mets in front, 1-0.
In the fifth, they did it again. Consecutive two-out singles by CF Hansel Moreno (2-3, R) and 3B Blake Tiberi (1-4, R) started the rally, while LF Zach Ashford (1-3, BB, SO) followed with a walk to load the bases. Cortés then proceeded to mash a liner into left-center. Two runs scored on the Orlando native's double, placing St. Lucie ahead by three, 3-0.
RHP Colin Holderman (6.1 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 SO) was impressive in his Florida State League debut. The 23-year-old twirled 6.1-scoreless frames to garner his first victory. RHP Marcel Rentería (0.1 IP) entered with a man on and two out in the ninth and recorded the final out to seal his fifth save.
Daytona's (31-38, 66-68) RHP Austin Orewiler (5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO) was solid but suffered his 11th defeat of the campaign. Out of the bullpen, RHP John Ghyzel (4.0 IP, H, 2 BB, SO) thrived, as the 23-year-old compiled 4.0-shutout innings.
As a result of the Florida State League's decision to cancel the remainder of the 2019 regular season - as well as the postseason - due to the impending landfall of Hurricane Dorian, fans may redeem any tickets for this weekend's originally-scheduled contests against the Jupiter Hammerheads for tickets to any 2020 Daytona Tortugas' home game. Fans may exchange their tickets by calling the Tortugas' box office at (386) 257-3172 or by visiting the team offices located on 110 East Orange Avenue in Daytona Beach, Fla.
ABOUT THE DAYTONA TORTUGAS
The Daytona Tortugas are the High-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of the Florida State League. The Tortugas play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in downtown Daytona Beach, Fla. Jackie Robinson Ballpark also plays host to Bethune-Cookman University, the Beijing Shougang Eagles of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) and many large community events and initiatives throughout the season.