Threshers Battle Ft. Myers for First Place

Ft. Myers Battles Back to Take the Threshers

PLAYER Pos. H/AB Details Matt Thayer CF 1-5 Double, RBI Peeter Ramos 2B 1-5 - Mike Costanzo 3B 0-4 BB Brian Sellier DH 0-5 - Mike Dzurilla 1B 2-5 - Branden Florence LF 2-4 2 Runs Brad Harman SS 2-4 Double, Run JJ Johnson RF 2-3 Double, RBI, 2 Runs Tuffy Gosewisch C 2-4 HR, Double, 3 RBIs

PITCHER IP R H K BB Josh Baldwin 5.1 3 5 4 1 Jake Barrack 0.2 3 2 2 2 Cory Duett 2.0 0 2 0 0 Brian Reed (L: 0-2) 1.0 2 3 0 0

The Ft. Myers Miracle returned to Brighthouse Networks Field on Thursday night to face the Clearwater Threshers one day after snatching first place out from under the Threshers with a 6-5 victory on Wednesday afternoon. The Threshers were looking for a win to regain first place, but it was the Miracle looking to retain first place who struck first.

In the second inning a single, stolen base and an RBI double got them up 1-0 after two innings of play.

In the third inning of the game the Threshers took the lead away from the Miracle when a lead off single from JJ Johnson and a home run from catcher Tuffy Gosewisch put the team up 2-1. In the fourth inning the Threshers added two more runs to extend the lead to 4-2. This effort was thanks to a single from Branden Florence, a Double by Brad Harman, and a double from Tuffy Gosewisch to up his RBI total to 3 RBIs on the night.

The score remained 4-1 until the sixth inning when the Miracle offense really got things going and lit up the Threshers pitchers for five runs on two walks and five hits including a double, triple and home run. After five-and-a-half it was the Miracle leading 6-4.

Not shaken up, the Threshers offense returned in the bottom of the inning with scoring on their mind. A lead off single from Branden Florence got things going, then Brad Harman flew out for out number one. JJ Johson then doubled to leave runners at second and third. After a dropped third strike with Tuffy Gosewisch batting a throwing error allowed Gosewisch to reach and load the bases. Matt Thayer then reached on a fielding error allowing two runs to score and left runners at first and second.

A wild pitch then sent the runners to second and third giving the Threshers another good scoring opportunity. After a short pop out by Peeter Ramos, Mike Costanzo came to the plate looking for his first hit of the night with two outs in the inning. Costanzo could not get a hit as he went down on strikes for the third time of the night, but the Threshers had rallied and the score was tied 6-6 after six innings of play.

In the seventh the Threshers threatened once again. After Brian Sellier grounds out, Michael Dzurilla singled on a line drive to right fielder. Branden Florence flew out to right field, then Brad Harman singled on a fly ball to right field sending Mike Dzurilla to 3rd. J.J. Johnson then walked to load the bases for the red hot Tuffy Gosewisch. Gosewisch however hit into a force play to end the inning and it was onto the eighth tied 6-6.

An uneventful eighth sent things to the ninth still tied and each team looking to end things in regulation. Brian Reed came on to close out the game for the Threshers, but a lead off single, and then a hit batter on a bunt attempt gave Ft. Myers runners at first and second with no outs. A sacrifice hit then sent runners to second and third with one out. A base hit then gave the Miracle a run and the lead leaving runners now at first and third with an out. Another single scored a second run, and things were beginning to get ugly for the Threshers. The Threshers did finally manage to get out of the inning, but went into the bottom of the ninth trailing 8-6.

The Threshers first tow hitter Brian Sellier and Mike Dzurilla each flew out pinning the team's hopes on Branden Florence. Florence then grounded out to end the game as the Miracle won 8-6 to extend their first place lead to 1.5 games above the Threshers.

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