Ortega, Tatum Lead Mussels to 9-3 Win in Bradenton

FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 13, 2023) – Jorel Ortega and Dillon Tatum both crushed home runs and drove in multiple runs to lead the Mighty Mussels to a 9-3 win over the Bradenton Marauders Tuesday at LECOM Park.

Tatum drove in more runs Tuesday (four) than he had all season (three), delivering a game-changing three-run shot in the top of the fourth. Ortega reached base four times, finishing a triple away from the cycle.

Mussels (31-27) starting pitcher C.J. Culpepper (3-3) allowed two runs on five hits over five solid innings, striking out seven. Culpepper averaged 94.0 mph on his four-seam fastball, topping out at 97.2 mph. He induced six whiffs on 10 swings against his changeup.

Jarret Whorff and Danny Moreno finished off the win for Fort Myers, tossing two innings each in relief.

In a scoreless game in the top of the first, Ortega and Danny De Andrade both singled with one out. The next batter was Ricardo Olivar, who lined a single into center to give Fort Myers a 1-0 lead.

After Bradenton tied the game on an Enmanuel Terrero home run, Alec Sayre walked before advancing to third on an errant pickoff attempt. With two outs, Tatum pulled a single into left to put the Mussels on top 2-1.

A solo home run from Rodolfo Nolasco tied the game 2-2 in the bottom of the second. Ortega led off the third, drilling a solo dinger to left center to push the Mussels back in front 3-2.

After Tatum extended the lead to 6-2, Sayre and Maddux Houghton both singled to center in the top of the seventh. After Tatum walked to load the bases, Dylan Neuse reached on a fielding error to make it 7-2. Ortega then drove in a run on a fielder’s choice before De Andrade singled down the third base line to make it 9-2.

The Mussels will look to take a 2-0 lead in the series on Wednesday at 12 p.m. Miguelangel Boadas (0-1, 1.80) will start for Fort Myers, opposed by J.P. Massey (2-3, 2.84) of Bradenton. Coverage begins at 11:45 a.m. on the Mighty Mussels Baseball Network.