Brevard's Bats Come Alive in Lakeland

Published on April 10, 2013 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Brevard County Manatees News Release


LAKELAND, Fla. - The largest offensive output of the season by the Brevard County Manatees was led by a grand slam from Greg Hopkins and a two-run homer from Cameron Garfield as the 'Tees edged the Lakeland Flying Tigers 7-6 on Wednesday night at Joker Marchant Stadium.

It was the second straight win for Brevard County (3-3) over Lakeland (3-3) in as many nights and it was much different than Tuesday night's low scoring affair, as the power outage that the Manatees had suffered through to start the year was put to rest.

It only took until the second inning to put runs on the board against Flying Tigers starting pitcher Tommy Collier. In that frame, the 'Tees batted around for the first time in 2013, as Brandon Macias doubled with one out and later scored on a Dionis Hinojosa single. In between, Yadiel Rivera was the first Manatee to be hit by a pitch in the inning, with Chadwin Stang being the other to load the bases.

Hopkins then stepped in and launched a 1-0 pitch halfway up the left field berm, making it the first home run for a member of the team this season and the first grand slam in the Florida State League in 2013. It was also the first grand slam hit by a Manatee since Cody Hawn's on July 6, 2012 against the Tampa Yankees.

The shutout didn't last long though as Dean Green skied one over the right field fence off of Manatees starting pitcher Drew Gagnon (0-1, 12.27) to make it 5-1 in the bottom half of the second.

A strong second start of the year turned sour for Gagnon in the bottom of the fifth, when he surrendered four more runs to even up the score. The tying run came in on a sacrifice fly, his only out recorded in the fifth, following a walk, a pair of doubles and a single to load the bases.

Gagnon, did not factor in the decision as he allowed five runs in 4.1 innings. He surrendered six hits and two walks, while fanning three on the night.

Nick Ramirez led off the seventh inning with a double, but didn't have to wait long before crossing the plate. Garfield climbed halfway up the light tower in left on a full count with his first long ball this year, in what would end up being the game-winning RBI.

Chad Pierce was credited with the win despite getting into trouble after the in the bottom of the seventh. An error was charged to Garfield on a tough pop up by John Murrian in front of the plate to start the inning, and then a walk and a single scored Murrian. Another walk loaded the bases and Kevin Shackelford into the game for Pierce.

Shackelford induced a shallow pop-up and a ground out to get out of the bases loaded, one-out jam. He allowed a hit in the eighth before Tommy Toledo came on to close the game out with a perfect ninth inning earning his first save.

Lakeland and Brevard County will finish their three-game series at Space Coast Stadium in Viera on Thursday at 6:35 p.m. The game will be broadcast live locally on AM 1300 WMEL as righties Brooks Hall (0-1, 4.50 ERA) and Drew VerHagen (0-0, 6.24 ERA) square off on the mound, for the Manatees and the Flying Tigers respectively.

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



Florida State League Stories from April 10, 2013


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