Mussels’ Comeback Spoiled in Extra-Inning Loss to Clearwater

FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 16, 2023) – Despite tying the game late with a five-run seventh, the Mighty Mussels fell 10-8 in ten innings Sunday to drop the series with the Clearwater Threshers at Hammond Stadium.

Down by five in the bottom of the seventh, the Mussels (42-42, 8-10) loaded the bases on two walks and a hit batter. Two consecutive ground ball outs from Rubel Cespedes and Rafael Cruz scored two runs, cutting the deficit to 8-5. With a runner on third and two outs, the next batter was Mikey Perez, who cranked his second homer of the game to left to make it a one-run game. Dylan Neuse followed with a single and then stole second to set up an RBI single for Kyle Schmidt that tied the game at 8-8.

Still tied at 8-8 in the top of the tenth, Cade Fergus was placed on second as the automatic runner and Bergolla led off the inning with a bunt single to place runners at the corners for Clearwater (56-26, 12-5). With Troy Schreffler at the plate, reliever Develson Aria balked to force in the go-ahead run. After two more walks loaded the bases, Justin Crawford dribbled an infield single to shortstop that capped the scoring at 10-8.

In the bottom of the first, the Mussels jumped out to an early lead after Carson McCusker blasted solo homer and Perez launched a two-run dinger to make it 3-0.

Fort Myers starter Andrew Morris (3-1) was solid from there, tossing four scoreless innings while fanning four and allowing one hit.

However, after Clearwater got to the bullpen, they began to rally in the top of the fifth. After Schreffler walked, Matt Alifano singled to place runners at the corners. With no outs, Kliubert Avila poked a single to left to bring in a run and make it 3-1. After a line out and a single from Crawford, the bases were loaded with one out for Felix Reyes, who belted a grand slam to left field to give Clearwater a 5-3 lead. Later in the inning, Cade Fergus reached on an infield single, then advanced to third on a stolen base and passed ball. William Bergolla extended the rally with a bunt single that scored Bergolla to make it 6-3.

After the Threshers pushed across another run in the sixth, they rallied for more in the seventh. Reyes singled to lead off the inning and later advanced to second on a wild pitch. Bergolla followed with a line-drive single to left that scored Reyes to extend the lead to 8-3 before the Mussels tied it in the bottom of the frame.

Fort Myers will enjoy an off day Monday before they begin a six-game series with the Bradenton Marauders at LECOM Park on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 6:30 pm, with coverage beginning at 6:15 pm on the Mighty Mussels Baseball Network.