Mussels’ Bats Explode in 11-2 Thumping of Marauders

BRADENTON, Fla. (September 4, 2022) – Nine different Mighty Mussels recorded a hit Sunday, as the Fort Myers bats exploded for 14 hits in an 11-2 thumping of the Bradenton Marauders at LECOM Park.

Fort Myers (66-57, 25-34) scored in six of their nine offensive frames, getting home runs from Dillon Tatum and Daniel Ozoria in the win. Ozoria’s home run was his first of the season.

Mussels’ catcher Noah Cardenas continued his assault on the Florida State League, recording three hits on Sunday and finishing the weekend 6-for-12 with two doubles, a walk and 4 RBI. Cardenas’ big weekend comes on the heels of a month of August in which he hit .324 with three homers and 18 walks (.974 OPS).

Fort Myers took control in the top of the second. After two men reached base, Keoni Cavaco ripped an RBI double down the left field line to put the Mussels in front 1-0. The next batter was Tatum, who cranked a long two-run homer to make it 3-0.

Still up by that margin in the third, the Mussels loaded the bases with one out. That’s when Carlos Aguiar stroked a two-run double down the right field line to extend the lead to 5-0.

Fort Myers got a magnificent pitching outing from Jordan Carr (6-1), who allowed only three hits over five scoreless innings. The Maryland native fanned four and walked one.

John Wilson and Zaquiel Puentes each turned in scoreless work to take the win to the finish line.

The Mighty Mussels scored 44 runs in the series, good for 7.3 runs/game. Fort Myers wrapped up their road schedule Sunday with a 35-31 record, going 14-9 against Bradenton (64-61, 35-25) this year.

Fort Myers will finish up the regular season with a six-game series against the St. Lucie Mets at Hammond Stadium. Coverage of Tuesday’s series opener starts at 6:45 p.m. on the Mighty Mussels Baseball Network.