FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Grand Slam propells Miracle

Published on June 9, 2008 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


FORT MYERS, F.L. (June 9, 2008) - The Fort Myers Miracle, led by Edward Ovalle on Monday night, clinched the Florida State League's first-half western division title in "grand" fashion with a 6-4 win over the Vero Beach Rays at Hammond Stadium. Ovalle crushed a grand slam to right in a five-run fifth inning, capping the win and sending the Miracle to the first-half crown.

The Miracle came up with the first run of the night in their half of the second as Whit Robbins began the frame with a double down the right-field line. After Wilson Ramos pushed Robbins to third with his base hit to right, a sacrifice-fly by Juan Portes, also to right, plated Robbins for the early 1-0 lead.

Vero Beach would answer the first Miracle run with the next three to grab a two-run advantage. A one-out, infield-single to second by Desmond Jennings would eventually lead to the Rays first run as Cesar Suarez collected an RBI-triple to right, knotting the contest at one apiece. An inning later in the fourth, a one-out single by Nevin Ashley would pay off as Garrett Groce belted a two-run homer to left for a 3-1 Rays lead.

Five runs in the bottom of the Miracle fifth sent the Miracle from down two to up three capped off by Ovalle's grand slam. Eli Tintor started the inning with a solo-HR off the scoreboard in left-center slicing the deficit at the time to 3-2. Danny Santiestiban followed with a base on balls and moved two bases to third on Yancarlos Ortiz's sacrifice-bunt.

Rays starter Brandon Mann fielded Ortiz's bunt and proceeded to toss it into right-field allowing Santiestiban to scoot to third. After another base on balls, the third of four on the night by Rays starter Brandon Mann, loaded the bases for Ovalle. A 3-1 fastball on the outer half of the plate led to Ovalle's opposite field grand salami and the 6-3 Miracle lead.

Vero Beach tacked on their final run in the eighth as John Matulia's lead-off double led to a Matt Fields RBI-single three hitters later for the final of 6-4. Despite being out-hit 11-5 by Vero Beach, the Miracle were still able to clinch the first-half title and make their first F.S.L. playoff appearance since 2005.

Game two of the four-game series against the Rays will take place on Monday night at Hammond Stadium. RHP Alex Burnett (5-2, 3.34) will get the ball for the Miracle against the Rays LHP Mike Wlodarczyk (0-0, 0.00). First pitch on a "2-for-1" Tuesday will take place at 7:05 p.m.

Check out the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels Statistics

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



Florida State League Stories from June 9, 2008


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