Marauders Clinch Playoffs With Sweep of Stone Crabs

www.secondshotphoto.com

BRADENTON – The Marauders clinched the South Division second half championship for the third time in four years with a 3-2 win over the Charlotte Stone Crabs on Sunday morning at McKechnie Field. Chad Kuhl (W, 13-5) set a new franchise mark for wins in a season with 5 1/3 strong innings.

Walker Gourley had the decisive hit for the Marauders, breaking a 1-1 tie in the fifth with a bases loaded single to right field. Gourley’s single plated two runs. Jordan Steranka plated the first run for the Marauders with an opposite field double in the first. All three Marauders runs were scored with two outs.

Yhonathan Barrios (S, 10) induced a double play to escape a bases loaded jam in the sixth inning and pitched a perfect seventh to clinch the playoff berth. The win pits Bradenton against Fort Myers on Tuesday night at McKechnie Field in the first game of the Division Series.

The Marauders established a new franchise record for wins in a season with 78, sweeping the twin bill with a 4-1 win in the second game of the double header. Six Marauders pitchers combined to hold the Stone Crabs to five hits. Josh Smith (W, 4-2) earned the win with a scoreless fourth inning, while Joan Montero picked up his first save.

Tuesday’s game will begin at 6:30 p.m. with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. Additional playoff information will be available tonight and tomorrow at www.BradentonMarauders.com.

The box score for Sunday's game one can be seen here; the Play-by-Play review can be viewed here. For game two, the box score can be seen here; the Play-by-Play review here.