Maddux Houghton Drives in Five in 10-5 Win over Bradenton

FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 8, 2023) – Maddux Houghton’s three-run homer capped a seven-run first inning Wednesday, setting the tone in a 10-5 Mussels’ victory over the Bradenton Marauders at Hammond Stadium.

The round tripper extended Houghton’s hitting streak to six games and marked the first time he left the yard since May 5 against Dunedin. He tacked on two more RBI on a clutch two-out single in the ninth.

In a scoreless game in the bottom of the first, Luke Keaschall walked before Ricardo Olivar and Danny De Andrade singled to load the bases. Rubel Cespedes then scorched a two-run double off the base of the wall in right to give the Mussels (50-54, 16-22) a 2-0 lead. With runners at second and third, Jay Harry rolled a grounder to second that scored De Andrade to extend the lead to three runs. The next hitter was Gregory Duran, who ripped a liner into right for an RBI single that made it 4-0. After a walk to Alec Sayre placed runners at first and second, Houghton launched a three-run homer inside the foul pole in left to bring the Fort Myers’ lead to 7-0.

With the same score in the top of the second, Juan Jerez singled while Mitch Jebb and drew Lonnie White Jr. drew walks to load the bases for Bradenton (59-44, 24-14). Garret Forrester then punched a two-run single to right that made it 7-2. Charles McAdoo followed with an infield single to short that pushed across another run that made it 7-3.

In the bottom of the second, Harry singled and advanced to third on a ground out and wild pitch. After a walk to Sayre, an errant pickoff attempt to first allowed Harry to score to extend the lead to 8-3.

Bradenton then scratched singular runs across in the third and fourth on groundouts to cut the deficit to 8-5.

Both teams drew 10 walks and put several men on base in the later stage of the game, but were not able to cash in until Houghton’s two-run single in the ninth.

Despite the walks, the Mussels’ bullpen was able to quiet the Marauders’ bats. Relievers Juan Mendez, Jackson Hicks (5-1), Ricardo Velez, and Zach Veen combined for 6.1 scoreless innings.

The Mussels will return the diamond on Thursday when Ben Ethridge (2-5, 2.18) faces off against Dominic Perachi (5-0, 4.22) of the Marauders. First pitch is slated for 7:00 p.m. with coverage beginning at 6:45 p.m. on the Mighty Mussels Baseball Network.