FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Skole Sinks Miracle with 10th Inning Shot

May 23, 2016 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


FORT MYERS, Fla. - Jake Skole's solo home run in the top of the 10th led the Tampa Yankees to a second consecutive extra inning win over the Fort Myers Miracle, 6-5, at Hammond Stadium on Monday morning.

The Miracle jumped out to a five-run first inning with four hits, aided by two wild pitches and an error. Max Murphy led off by drawing a walk from Tampa starter Ian Clarkin. Edgar Corcino followed with a bouncing single through the right side. Nick Gordon then opened the scoring after punching an RBI single down the third base line to bring home Murphy.

Clarkin walked Chris Paul to put runners on the corners. With Alex Real at the dish, Clarkin threw a wild pitch in the dirt and Corcino scampered home with Gordon advancing to second. Gordon trotted to third on a second wild pitch from Clarkin and Paul followed with a walk. With runners on the corners, Clarkin's pick-off attempt at first eluded first baseman Bo Thompson and Gordon scored with Paul going to second, 3-0.

Real singled through the right side to give the Miracle runners at first and third. Trey Vavra then yanked an RBI double down the third base line to plate Paul. Real pulled in at third. After Chad Christensen lined out to second base, Kevin Garcia capped the offense with a sacrifice fly to left to drive in Real, 5-0.

Miracle starter Kohl Stewart retired the first six batters consecutively, but ran into trouble in the third. Skole led off with a single up the middle. After Stewart got Santiago Nessy to fly out to right, he walked Vicente Conde and Abiatal Avelino to load the bases. Michael O'Neill drove in Skole on a sacrifice fly and Miguel Andujar plated two with a double, 5-3.

Stewart went five innings and faced one batter in the sixth, exiting after walking Austin Aune to begin the frame. John Curtiss took over for Stewart and got Skole to pop out to third, but Nessy doubled off the wall in left field to put two men in scoring position. Conde then drove in Aune with a sacrifice fly to left field to cut the Miracle lead to one, 5-4.

Tampa tied the game in the eighth inning with Miracle reliever Brian Gilbert on the mound. Skole hit a routine ground ball to short that was bobbled by Gordon to start the frame and a wild pitch from Gilbert sent Skole to second. After Gilbert walked Nessy, Conde laid down a sacrifice bunt to push the runners to second and third. Avelino followed with a ground ball out to second, but Skole crossed home to tie the game, 5-5.

The Miracle got a scoreless top of the ninth from Gilbert and had an opportunity to win the game at the plate. With one out, Kevin Garcia doubled into the right field corner off Tampa reliever Dillon McNamara. Austin Diemer replaced Garcia at second base and a McNamara (3-1) wild pitch pushed Garcia to third. With Tanner Witt at the plate, another McNamara delivery was in the dirt. Diemer attempted to score, but Nessy recovered and threw to McNamara at home plate to prevent a Miracle win and get the second out. Witt then flew out to left field to force extra innings.

In the top of the 10th, the Miracle brought in Hector Lujon from the bullpen. Skole greeted the new Fort Myers reliever with a solo blast on a 1-2 pitch. Skole's drive off Lujon (0-1) landed in the seats above the wall in right center field and provided a 6-5 advantage for the Yankees.

McNamara tossed a perfect bottom of the 10th to secure the victory for Tampa. McNamara went three innings of scoreless relief and the Miracle had just one hit after the fourth inning.

The Miracle (24-21) continue a seven-game homestand and open up a three-game set with the Palm Beach Cardinals on Tuesday. Tyler Jay (3-3) is slated to start against Matt Pearce for Palm Beach. Fans can pick up a copy of the Tuesday edition of the News-Press for a special 2-for-1 ticket offer or visit Bob Evan's Restaurants and bring in a Tuesday receipt for the same deal. Inside the gates, 2-for-1 Tuesday continues with BOGO deals on hot dogs, domestic draft beers and fountain soda. For more information, call the Miracle offices at (239) 768-4210 or visit www.miraclebaseball.com.

Check out the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels Statistics



Florida State League Stories from May 23, 2016


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