Winokur, Doncon Power Mussels’ Offense in 5-3 Win Over Jupiter

FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 20, 2024) - Brandon Winokur and Rayne Doncon each recorded multi-hit efforts in Saturday night’s 5-3 win over the Hammerheads.

It was Winokur that got things started for the Mussels with an RBI groundout to drive in Maddux Houghton in the first inning, as Fort Myers took an early 1-0 lead. The team to score first has gone on to win all five games so far in the series.

Jupiter responded with a run in the top of the second on an RBI single from Colby Shade and another in the top of the third on an RBI single from JT Mabry to take a brief 2-1 lead.

The Hammerheads couldn’t hang on for long though, as three straight singles off Jupiter starter Noble Meyer (0-1) loaded the bases for Gregory Duran, who drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to tie the game 2-2. One batter later, Jose Rodriguez laced a double into right field to drive in Doncon to make it 3-2 Mussels.

Mussels’ starter Charlee Soto (0-0) came out for the fourth inning but exited after walking John Cruz to lead off the inning. Soto allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits over three-plus solid innings, striking out five. Danny Moreno (0-0) was first out of the ‘pen and retired eight of the first nine batters he faced.

Jupiter wouldn’t go away without a fight though, as catcher Sam Praytor laced an RBI single in the sixth inning off Moreno to knot the contest at three. Nolan Santos (1-1) came on to get the last out of the inning, tossing 2.1 perfect frames in relief.

Hammerheads’ reliever Collin Lowe (1-1) got two quick outs in the seventh before Doncon doubled to extend the inning. The next batter was Winokur, who looped a double into shallow right center field to drive in Doncon to take a 4-3 lead for Fort Myers. Duran then added an insurance run with a single to center to push the lead to 5-3.

Santos and Julio Bonilla combined to retire the final 10 Jupiter batters of the game to shut down the Hammerheads. Bonilla notched his first Low-A save.

The Mussels will go for a series split and hand the ball off to Paulshawn Pasqualotto (0-0, 2.00) at 12:05 p.m. on Sunday. Jake Brooks (1-0, 0.82) will start for Jupiter. Coverage begins at 11:45 a.m. on the Mighty Mussels Baseball Network.