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FSL Bradenton Marauders

Late Heroics from Bottom of the Order Secure Bradenton Victory

June 25, 2023 - Florida State League (FSL)
Bradenton Marauders News Release


Lakeland, Fla. - The Marauders (3-0, 38-30) and the Lakeland Flying Tigers (0-3, 26-42) met for the final game of a six-game series at Publix Field on a hot and humid Sunday afternoon, where real feel temps reached 110 degrees. Bradenton would have to count on a clutch ninth-inning home run to spur the winning effort late in the game, with Bradenton securing a 6-5 win to seal the 4-1 series victory.

The Tigers took an early lead in the bottom of the first on an RBI groundout. However, this was the only run they could squeeze from Marauders starting pitcher Derek Diamond.

The Ole Miss product tossed six innings and struck out seven Tigers hitters but did not earn a decision for his fine outing.

Bradenton grabbed the lead in the top of the third when Jesus Castillo tied the game at 1-1 with a perfectly executed squeeze bunt that was followed by a wild pitch to put the Young Buccos up 2-1 after three innings played.

The Marauders extended their lead with three runs in the top of the sixth when Nick Cimillo doubled to bring in a pair of runs before yet another run scored on a wild pitch for Bradenton to make it a 5-1 game going into the final three innings of play.

Lakeland got one run back in the seventh inning and tied the game up in the bottom of the eighth thanks to a three-run homer from Jose De La Cruz.

Omar Alfonzo was due to lead off with the game level at 5-5 in the top of the ninth. The Marauders catcher was recalled to Bradenton from the Florida Complex League Pirates on Tuesday morning. He was making his first and only start of the series on Sunday.

After getting ahead in the count, Alfonzo crushed a high fastball deep to left-center field, which cleared the wall to restore the Marauders lead at 6-5. It was Alfonzo's first-ever home run at the Single-A level.

Rehab arm Geronimo Franzua sealed the deal in the bottom of the ninth when he struck out two and needed only nine pitches to put the Tigers away. The Marauders' 6-5 win secured an emphatic 4-1 win in the series; the team is now 3-0 in the second half as they look to carry the excellent momentum into a homestand beginning on Wednesday night at LECOM Park.

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Florida State League Stories from June 25, 2023


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