FSL1 Clearwater Threshers

Eshelman Dominant in 10-Inning Defeat

Published on April 13, 2016 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release


CLEARWATER, Fla. - Thomas Eshelman sailed through seven shutdown innings in his second start for Clearwater, but the Charlotte Stone Crabs managed to squeeze past the Threshers, 1-0 in ten innings on Wednesday afternoon.

Eshelman took a no-decision after breezing through seven shutout frames. The right-hander scattered two hits - both singles - and two walks, while striking out four. He kept his pitch count in check throughout the start, and needed only 77 pitches - 55 strikes.

Threshers starting pitchers have continued to put up dominant numbers across each of the last five games. In that span, starters have allowed only five runs on 18 hits through 28 innings of work, for a minuscule ERA of 1.61.

Charlotte starter Hunter Wood matched Eshelman with six scoreless frames of his own, as the right-hander held the Threshers to three hits and a walk.

The best chance of the day for the Threshers (3-4) came way back in the first inning.

Scott Kingery beat out an infield single on a slow grounder toward third to start the frame. With one out Kingery took off from first and Carlos Tocci executed a hit-and-run, pushing a ground ball through the open right side of the infield to set the Threshers up with runners at first and third.

Wood induced a key strikeout of Kyle Martin on an offspeed pitch for the second out, and after Chace Numata walked to load the bases, Wood got Zach Green out swinging at a fastball to end the inning.

The game held scoreless all the way into the tenth.

After Victor Arano tossed two scoreless, Jairo Munoz entered to start the tenth. Grant Kay jumped on the first pitch and sent a sharp single past Green at first and into right field. Jace Conrad followed with a sacrifice bunt to move Kay into scoring position.

Cade Gotta stepped in and sent a sinking liner into left-center, and Cord Sandberg made a tremendous diving catch in the gap to rob Gotta of extra bases and preserve the scoreless tie.

With two down, Alec Sole delivered the decisive blow. Sole sent a double to left-centerfield on a 2-2 pitch to plate Kay with the game's only run.

The Threshers will go for the series split on Thursday, with the debut of Taps and Tacos Night presented by Tijuana Flats. First pitch is set for 7 p.m., and the call can be heard live on the Threshers Broadcast Network starting at 6:45 p.m. Matt Imhof (0-1) takes the hill for Clearwater, opposed by Charlotte's Benton Moss (0-1).

Check out the Clearwater Threshers Statistics

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Florida State League Stories from April 13, 2016


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