Brevard Takes Opener in Fort Myers

Published on June 4, 2013 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Brevard County Manatees News Release


FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees' offense lashed out 12 hits in a 6-4 win over the Fort Myers Miracle on Monday night at Hammond Stadium.

Brevard County (29-27) set the tone early by plating three runs in the top of the third inning. T.J. Mittelstaedt led off the frame with a single to left field. With one out, Lance Roenicke sent a towering fly ball to left field that Aderlin Mejia couldn't track down while trying to avoid crashing into the wall. Roenicke's double put two men in scoring position for Brandon Macias, who singled sharply through the left side to score Mittelstaedt. Greg Hopkins doubled to dead center to plate both runners and give the Manatees a 3-0 lead.

Fort Myers (40-16) would respond with two runs in the bottom of the frame. Eddie Rosario and Miguel Sano hit back-to-back RBI doubles to cut the deficit to one. Levi Michael scored on Rosario's double after lacing a double of his own.

One inning later, the Miracle tied the game on a two-out RBI bloop single to left field by Stephen Wickens that fell between shortstop Brandon Macias and left fielder Ben McMahan.

The 'Tees would retake the lead in the sixth inning. With two outs and the bases empty, Nick Ramirez smacked a double to left-center field. McMahan then singled to left and Ramirez slid in safely ahead of the throw from Mejia to put Brevard County up 4-3.

Brevard County starting pitcher Brent Suter (4-3, 3.50) did not need any more support from the offense, as he scattered nine hits over seven innings en route to the victory. He surrendered three runs and did not walk a batter, while striking out four.

After the Manatees extended the lead to two on a two-out RBI double by Ramirez in the top of the eighth, Kevin Shackelford went right through the heart of the Miracle order in the bottom half of the inning. Shackelford retired Sano, Kennys Vargas and Angel Morales on 12 pitches in a 1-2-3 frame.

Mittelstaedt provided some more insurance for the 'Tees with a solo home run to deep right field in the top of the ninth. For Mittelstaedt, it was his fifth homer of the season and hist third hit of the night.

With a 6-3 lead, closer Tommy Toledo entered seeking his sixth save of the season. Toledo struggled with his command to start the inning as he walked two of the first three batters.

After a wild pitch that put runners on second and third, Michael hit a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to two once again. With two outs, Mejia came to the plate representing the tying run. Toledo retired the left fielder on a slow roller to second to end the ballgame.

The same two clubs will be back in action tomorrow for a 7:05 p.m. start at Hammond Stadium. Jed Bradley (3-2, 5.11) will toe the rubber for Brevard County and Fort Myers will send a lefty of their own to the mound in Jason Wheeler (5-0, 3.94).

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Florida State League Stories from June 4, 2013


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