Walton Leads Threshers to Series Win in Sunday Finale

CLEARWATER, Fla. (April 14, 2024) – TJayy Walton drove in all five runs Sunday, leading the Clearwater Threshers to a 5-3 win over the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels at BayCare Ballpark.

Walton delivered a two-run double in the first inning and a three-run homer in the fifth inning to win the series for Clearwater (6-3). The home run in the fifth came after a throwing error from Mussels’ (4-5) catcher Poncho Ruiz, which opened the door for Walton to homer against Wilker Reyes (0-1).

Mussels’ starting pitcher Paulshawn Pasqualotto was solid over four innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out a career-high six. Ben Ethridge (2 IP) and Aaron Holiday (1 IP) turned in scoreless work in the later innings.

The Mighty Mussels scored all three of their runs in the top of the second inning. Trailing 2-0, Clearwater starter Mavis Graves retired the first two batters on strikeouts. After a two-out walk, Maddux Houghton drilled a double off the left field wall to cut the deficit to 2-1. The next batter was Gregory Duran, who lined a single to left and tie the game 2-2. Cole Elvis followed and dropped a single into left to give Fort Myers a 3-2 lead.

Houghton finished the series 5-for-10 with a double, triple, homer, two walks and eight RBI.

The Mussels will return home on Tuesday to begin a six-game series with the Jupiter Hammerheads. Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on the Mighty Mussels Baseball Network.

Cole Elvis caps a 3-run rally with an RBI single to left!

Bot 3 | Mussels 3, Threshers 2 pic.twitter.com/YVbrYIOmG8

— Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (@MightyMussels) April 14, 2024