FSL1 Charlotte Stone Crabs

Stone Crabs Even Series with 5-3 Win

Published on April 26, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release


JUPITER, FL - The Stone Crabs have plenty to be excited about after dodging a bullet and slipping past the Hammerheads 5-3 on Saturday night. First, they held the lead from the first inning on despite Jupiter's several cracks at tying the score. Roberto Gomez was finally rewarded with a win after no success in his first four tries. And Kevin Brandt kept his scoreless innings streak intact with his second save despite putting the tying runs in scoring position in the ninth. All in all, a successful way to set up the deciding game of the series on Sunday afternoon.

There have been numerous instances where the Stone Crabs have opened the door for the opposition with defensive miscues. In the top of the first, the roles were reversed after Leonardo Reginatto's two out grounder to short was mishandled by Ryan Goetz for an error. A wild pitch from Josh Hodges moved him to second, and he quickly scored on Patrick Leonard's double to left for a 1-0 lead.

Gomez opened the bottom of the first in similar fashion after hitting leadoff batter Cameron Flynn with an 0-2 fastball. A wild pitch got the tying run into scoring position before Ed Lucas tied the score with an RBI single to right. In the third, Andrew Toles continued his mastery of the opposite field with a one out double to left. After a walk to Tyler Goeddel and a fielder's choice groundout by Leonardo Reginatto, Leonard struck another RBI double down the right field line for a 2-1 lead.

Tommy Coyle led off the fourth with a walk before moving to second on Justin O'Conner's groundout to third. A single by Maxx Tissenbaum placed runners at the corners for Marty Gantt, who made it 3-1 with a sacrifice fly to center field. Trailing 4-1 in the sixth, the Hammerheads smelled blood and nearly tied the score against Gomez. However, it did not come without controversy

After Viosergy Rosa lined out to right for the first out, Matt Juengel bounced an 0-2 pitch down the left field line that looked to be foul. Home plate umpire Brennan Miller ruled it fair, and after an argument from manager Jared Sandberg, Gomez appeared to lose his composure. With two outs, he walked Goetz and Cody Keefer to load the bases before walking Alonzo Harris to make it 4-2. His night over, Gomez could only stare from the dugout as Parker Markel inherited the bases loaded jam. An RBI infield single by Flynn made it a one run game before Lucas grounded out to Reginatto at short on a very close play at first to end the inning.

Markel delivered two scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth before Brandt came in protecting a two run lead in the ninth. He soon surrendered a leadoff double to Flynn before Lucas singled to put the tying runs on base. The lefty then struck out Moran for the first out to bring up Rosa. A wild pitch moved Lucas to second, but Flynn never read the play well and remained at third despite having a clear path to the plate. Rosa popped out to second, and Brandt handled Juengel with his changeup to pick up his second strikeout to end the ball game in dramatic fashion for his second save.

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Florida State League Stories from April 26, 2014


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