Brevard Hangs on to Sweep Double Dip

Published on July 14, 2012 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Brevard County Manatees News Release


BRADENTON, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees were up 11-3 and allowed eight runs in the last three innings, but held on to edge the Bradenton Marauders 11-10 in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader at McKechnie Field. The win earned the Manatees a split of the four-game series and Brevard is now 9-3 in double dip games this season.

The 'Tees (12-10 second half, 41-49 overall) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, thanks to a two-out, three-run homer from Brock Kjeldgaard. Bradenton would get two back in the bottom of the inning off of Brevard starter Brandon Williamson (2-6, 7.01) on a RBI ground out from Mel Rojas and a RBI single by Andy Vasquez.

Brevard proceeded to score six more runs off of Marauders starter Matt Benedict in the next two innings, to take a 9-2 lead. The 'Tees rocked Benedict for nine runs on nine hits in just two-plus innings.

The Manatees gave Williamson more of a cushion with two more runs in the fifth, thanks to a RBI double from Franklin Romero Jr. and a RBI single from Shea Vucinich as Brevard had an 11-2 lead.

However Bradenton (13-10, 42-51) did not go down without a fight, as they racked up three runs on five hits against Williamson in the fifth to cut Brevard County's lead to 11-5. Williamson allowed four earned runs on nine hits in five innings of work, while striking out four and walking two.

Tommy Toledo, making his first appearance with the Manatees since being promoted from Class-A Wisconsin, relieved Williamson in the sixth and did not fare well. Toledo allowed a lead-off walk to Kawika Emsley-Pai and then back-to-back singles to load the bases.

Toledo then hit Kirk Singer with the bases loaded as the Marauders cut the lead to 11-6. Toledo then allowed back-to-back singles, as three more runs scored to make it an 11-9 game. With runners on first and second and no outs, Andy Vasquez represented the go-ahead run at the dish for the Marauders.

Toledo was able to get out of the jam as Vasquez grounded into a 6-4-3 double play and Carlos Mesa grounded out to second to end the inning.

Brevard was unable to plate the always important insurance run in the top of the seventh as Seth Harvey came into the game to close it out in the bottom of the inning.

Just like Toledo, Harvey ran into trouble immediately as he led off the inning with back-to-back walks. After a sacrifice bunt by Benji Gonzalez put runners on second and third, Dan Grovatt singled to right to plate a run as Bradenton was now down by just one run.

With runners on the corners and one out, Harvey was lifted for Eric Marzec. Marzec was able to get out of the jam and earn the save as Singer fouled out and Justin Howard went down looking as the Manatees survived.

With the exception of Jason Rogers, every Manatee recorded a hit in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader. Vucinich led the way as he was 3-for-5 with three RBI. Kjeldgaard and Cody Hawn had two hits each, as the 'Tees were 7-for-13 win runners in scoring position.

Brevard will head back across the state as they open up a four-game set with the St. Lucie Mets (10-13, 59-32) in Port St. Lucie on Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m.

Andy Moye (4-1, 4.67) will toe the rubber for the 'Tees as he looks to rebound from his first loss of 2012. The Mets will counter with Tyler Pill (2-1, 2.41).

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Florida State League Stories from July 14, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central