Marauders 5, Cardinals 0

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JUPITER – Three Marauders (7-5) pitcher teamed on a six-hit shutout on Tuesday night, earning a 5-0 win over the Palm Beach Cardinals (6-6) at Roger Dean Stadium. The Cardinals stranded 10 runners and failed to advance a runner to third in the game.

Pat Ludwig (W, 1-0) made his first start of the season for the Marauders and responded with five scoreless innings. Ludwig allowed three hits, walked one, and struck out four. With two aboard in the third, Ludwig induced an inning ending double play grounder to second from Brevic Valera. Bradenton turned two double plays in the game, the team’s 13^th and 14^th of the season. Josh Smith tossed three scoreless innings and struck out three. Jhondaniel Medina struck out two in the ninth and has yet to allow a hit or a walk through four appearances.

The Marauders got the better of Marco Gonzales (L, 1-1) in the lefty’s second start of the season. Gonzales blanked the Marauders for five innings in his season debut. Jose Osuna started a three-run second inning with a single to center. Max Moroff walked on four pitches while showing bunt on each. Jin-De Jhang put down a perfect bunt in a two-strike count to earn a base hit and load the bases. Jonathan Schwind hit a hard grounder to third. Valera’s attempt to start a double play around the horn resulted in an out at second and a throwing error on the relay to first that allowed a second run to score on the play. Raul Fortunato reached on an error to put runners at the corners. The Marauders plated a third run with a double steal, with Fortunato swiping second on a delayed break and Schwind sneaking home on the throw to second.

Walker Gourley led off the third with a double and later scored on Jhang’s single to left to give Bradenton a 4-0 advantage. The Marauders scored one last run and chased Gonzales in the seventh. Josh Bell walked with one out and moved to second on a wild pitch. Osuna singled to right to cash in Bell. Moroff followed with a double that chases Gonzales. Aidan Lucas finished the game on the mound for the Cardinals.

The Marauders try for a series sweep on Wednesday night. John Kuchno makes his second start of the road trip. Mike Mayers will start for Palm Beach. The game starts at 6:35 p.m. and can be heard online at www.BradentonMarauders.com.  

The box score for Tuesday's game can be seen here; the Play-by-Play review can be viewed here.