Trio of Homers, Rock-Solid Relief Send Tortugas to Triumph
FSL Daytona Tortugas

Trio of Homers, Rock-Solid Relief Send Tortugas to Triumph

Published on August 28, 2025 under Florida State League (FSL)
Daytona Tortugas News Release


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla- Kien Vu's two-run homer in the seventh broke a 3-3 tie and Cole Schoenwetter's 4.0 dominant innings locked down a 5-3 victory over the Clearwater Threshers on Thursday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Daytona (31-25, 60-62) won their fourth in a row and franchise-record tenth-straight at home, holding Clearwater (29-25, 65-55) to just three hits in winning the third in a row to begin the series.

In the first, Daytona threatened, as Alfredo Duno walked, then went to third on a Tyson Lewis single. Lewis then stole second to put runners at second third with one out. However, Clearwater starter Ryan Degges struck out the next two to end the inning. Degges then ripped through all three batters in the second, all on strikeouts.

Daytona starter Ovis Portes also was sharp, allowing just a bloop single and striking out three over a pair of scoreless innings to begin his night.

However, Clearwater took advantage of a hit batter and two walks that loaded the bases with one out. A potential double-play ground ball was then bobbled, scoring a run. A balk then brought in another run. Gabe Starks then entered and prevented any further runs from scoring, but the Threshers now led 2-0.

In the bottom of third, Degges began the inning with his sixth consecutive strikeout, then Alfredo Duno stepped in and demolished a 2-1 offering 427 feet over the manual scoreboard in left field for a solo home run, his league-leading 15th of the season.

One inning later, Arnaldo Lantigua blasted Degges first pitch of the inning 443 feet over the left field fence for a second tape-measure shot in as many innings, tying the game at 2-2 on Lantigua's second homer as a Tortuga.

On the mound, Starks allowed a one-out hit, but nothing more in the fourth. He then threw a 1-2-3 fifth, going 2.1 scoreless innings with just one hit, no walks, and four strikeouts.

Schoenwetter entered for the sixth, but a dropped pop-up put a runner on second with two outs. After a groundout moved the runner along, Carter Mathison pulled an RBI single to right to put Clearwater back in front, 3-2.

Daytona, though, immediately answered back. Lewis, who had three hits and reached all four times in the game, walked to lead off the inning. He moved to third on a groundout and a wild pitch, then scored on a two-out RBI double by Alfredo Alcantara, re-tying the game at three apiece.

In the seventh, the Tortugas finally pulled in front. Drew Davies singled with one out, then Vu stepped in and ripped a 2-2 pitch 415 feet over the right-center field fence for a two-run shot, his second as a professional, that put Daytona in front 5-3.

Schoenwetter had all the support he needed. The right-hander finished the game with three straight 1-2-3 innings, retiring ten in a row after the sixth-inning single. Schoenwetter (3-8) threw the final 4.0 innings, allowing an unearned run on one hits and no walks with three strikeouts, earning the win, Daytona's third in a row to open the series.

Daytona will play game four of the series at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Friday night against the Clearwater Threshers. Tomorrow will be Copa de la Diversion with the Rumberos de Daytona taking the field. Postgame fireworks will also light up the sky after the game. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. with first pitch at 6:35 p.m. Pregame coverage with the Voice of the Tortugas, Brennan Mense, will begin on MiLB.tv and the Tortugas Radio Network at 6:25 p.m.

Tickets for every Tortugas home game are available on our website, by calling 386-257-3172, or by visiting the Jackie Robinson Ballpark box office at 110 E. Orange Avenue.

Check out the Daytona Tortugas Statistics

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



Florida State League Stories from August 28, 2025


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