FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Van Steensel Sinks Marauders, 4-3, with Stellar Relief

Published on May 12, 2016 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


FORT MYERS, Fla. - Todd Van Steensel navigated two late inning jams to preserve a 4-3 win for the Fort Myers Miracle over the Bradenton Marauders on Thursday night at Hammond Stadium.

Trailing 2-1 entering the bottom of the seventh inning, the Miracle started a three-run rally when Austin Diemer earned a lead-off hit on a liner off third baseman Chase Simpson's glove. Marauders reliever Henry Hirsch then struck out Tanner Witt, but Edgar Corcino stroked a single into right field.

With two on, Nick Gordon laced a first pitch from Hirsch (1-2) up the middle for an RBI single to tie the game, 2-2. Trey Vavra then advanced Corcino to third and Gordon to second on a ground out to the right side setting the stage for Chris Paul's go-ahead hit. On a 2-2 delivery, Paul lined a single into center field to plate two runs and put the Miracle on top, 4-2.

Brian Gilbert entered the game out of the Fort Myers bullpen in the top of the eighth, but immediately fell behind Logan Hill. On a 3-1 pitch, Hill sent a drive over the wall in right field for a solo home run and cut the Miracle advantage to 4-3. Gilbert then struggled with a walk to Elvis Escobar, a single from Michael Suchy and a base on balls to Jeff Roy. With the bases loaded and no outs, Miracle manager Jeff Smith called on Van Steensel out of the bullpen.

Facing Pablo Reyes with the bases full of Marauders, Van Steensel retired Reyes on strikes for the first out. Then, Van Steensel induced a 1-2-3 double play out of Kevin Kramer to exit the eighth with no further damage.

Remaining in the game for the final frame, Simpson popped his second triple of the night to start the top of the ninth. With the potential tying run at third base, Van Steensel retired Jerrick Suitor on a ground out to second base. Then, Van Steensel struck out Taylor Gushue and Hill, each on a sharp slider, to secure the win. The save was Van Steensel's third of the season.

The Miracle had opened the scoring in the fourth inning off Marauders starter Yeudy Garcia. Vavra began the inning with a single up the middle, then stole second base when Paul struck out on a full count pitch. With Alex Real at the plate, Garcia threw a wild pitch that advanced Vavra to third. Garcia rallied to fan Real, but tossed a second wild pitch when Max Murphy was at the dish that allowed Vavra to score, 1-0.

Keaton Steele started for the Miracle and turned in a quality outing. Over six innings, Steele surrendered two runs while scattering 10 hits, walking one and striking out two. The two Bradenton runs off Steele came in the fifth.

Reyes doubled to right center field to lead-off and then was sacrificed to third base by Kramer. Simpson then bombed a triple into the left center field gap and Reyes trotted home to tie the game. Bradenton went up 2-1 when the next batter, Suite, looped a soft liner into left center to bring in Simpson.

After Steele's six innings, Brandon Peterson pitched a scoreless frame for the Miracle in the seventh. Peterson (2-0) allowed one hit with one walk and a strikeout.

Corcino was 2-for-5 for the Miracle with a double while Murphy went 3-for-3 and reached base four times.

The FSL South Division leading Miracle (20-14) embark on a seven-game road trip on Friday with the first of a three-game series at Tradition Field and the St. Lucie Mets at 6:30 p.m. MiracleBaseball.com will not be broadcasting the series in St. Lucie, but fans can listen to the St. Lucie Mets broadcast network and former Miracle employee Adam MacDonald at www.stluciemets.com.

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Florida State League Stories from May 12, 2016


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