Serna Swings Threshers to Victory
Published on May 9, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- KC Serna has just one home run this year, and it was a big one.
In a 1-1 ballgame in the top of the seventh, Serna worked a 2-2 count with one out against reliever Danny Barnes (0-2). After fouling off six pitches, Serna turned on the 11th pitch of the at-bat and crushed a no-doubt shot well over the wall in left field to give the Clearwater Threshers the lead.
Clearwater (8-24) would hold on to top the Dunedin Blue Jays, 2-1 on Friday night at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.
Jeb Stefan was credited with a well-deserved victory, after the righty worked out of a major threat in the sixth. Stefan entered the game with the bases loaded and two outs in a tie ball game, and got Gustavo Pierre to strike out on four pitches to keep the Blue Jays off the board.
Stefan (2-2) went on to hurl 2.1 scoreless innings, permitting just an infield single while striking out two.
The Blue Jays (25-9) managed to put the lead-off man aboard against Stefan in the eighth inning, when the speedy Dalton Pompey beat out an infield single. The count ran full on Matt Newman and, with Pompey running, Stefan got Newman to swing and miss and catcher Gabriel Lino fired a strike down to second to nab Pompey attempting to steal.
Hanging on to the one-run advantage, the Threshers called upon right-hander Jordan Guth to shut the door in the ninth inning. Guth permitted a single to Pierre with two outs, but got Mike Reeves to go down swinging to end the ballgame, earning Guth his first save of the season and the second of his career.
Clearwater also benefitted from a strong start by Luis Paulino, who did not factor in the decision.
Paulino walked the first two men he faced in the game, but would settle down to work five strong innings. The right-hander allowed only one run on two hits and three walks while striking out five batters.
Down 1-0, the Threshers plated their first run of the day in the fifth.
Serna walked with two out, and Pete Lavin followed by pulling a single through the right side to set up men at the corners. Darin Ruf, who is with the Threshers on a Major League rehab assignment, came through with an RBI base knock to left field to bring the teams to a one-all tie.
Lavin finished the night 3-for-4, helping the Threshers outhit the Blue Jays 11-5 in the game.
Clearwater will try for a series split on Saturday, as the Threshers host the Blue Jays for the finale of the four-game set at Bright House Field at 6:30 p.m. The game can be heard live on threshersbaseball.com beginning at 6:15 p.m.
Florida State League Stories from May 9, 2014
- Lopez Solid as 'Tees Top Cubs, 5-2 - Brevard County Manatees
- Stone Crabs Survive to Edge Marauders 6-5 - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Serna Swings Threshers to Victory - Clearwater Threshers
- Miracle Fall Victim to 11-Run Fourth in 11-2 Loss - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Cessa, Mets Rout Cardinals - Palm Beach Cardinals
- Mets, Cessa Impress in 9-1 Win over Cards - St. Lucie Mets
- Marauders Play Seven Straight Home Games - Bradenton Marauders
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.
