LIGHTS OUT: Marauders Nearly No-Hit Fort Myers, Complete Shutout

BRADENTON, FL — After offensively being held without a hit for 8.2 innings on Wednesday night, the Bradenton Marauders came just three outs shy of no-hitting the Fort Myers Mighty Muscles en route to an 8-0 shutout victory on Thursday night at LECOM Park.

The Marauders hadn’t allowed a hit until the top of the ninth inning, when Maddux Houghton singled to left field to break the no-hitter. The Marauders last no-no came at LECOM Park on June 9, 2022, against the Clearwater Threshers. Antwone Kelly (1-2) walked three batters and struck a career-high five in five shutout frames. Connor Oliver (SV,1) went the rest of the way, punching out six in four scoreless.

Bradenton used a pair of big innings to score all eight runs, beginning with a four-run second against Charlee Soto (0-2). Garret Forrester led off the frame with a double before Esmerlyn Valdez singled him in to make it 1-0 Bradenton. After Solomon Maguire singled to place runners at first and second base, Justin Miknis reached on a fielders choice to first base. On the play, Cole Elvis airmailed a throw to second base with Valdez and Maguire scoring to extend the Bradenton lead to 3-0. Miknis ended up coming home on a Wesley Zapata sacrifice fly to close out the scoring in the inning.

The Marauders offense collected four more runs in the fourth against Soto. Valdez and Maguire both collected back-to-back singles to start the inning before Javier Rivas doubled them both home two batters later to make it 6-0 Bradenton. A single by Zapata and Jesus Castillo being hit by a pitch loaded the bases for Joshua Palacios. The Minor League rehabber from Triple-A Indianapolis singled a ball through the left side to score two more runs to close out the game’s scoring.

The Marauders and Mighty Mussels continue their six-game series on Friday night at LECOM Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 6:10 p.m. on the Marauders Broadcast Network. Bradenton will send RHP Carlson Reed (0-1, 1.72) to the hill while Fort Myers turns to RHP Paulshawn Pasqualotto (0-1, 3.00).