Marauders Win 7-4 Over Cardinals

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JUPITER – The Marauders (44-40, 9-6) erased a 4-0 deficit over the final two innings, scoring three times in the eighth and four more in the ninth in a 7-4 win over the Palm Beach Cardinals (47-38, 11-5) on Friday night at Roger Dean Stadium. Jason Creasy shook off a rough start to team with Josh Smith (W, 2-1) and hold the Cardinals scoreless over the game’s final six innings. Creasy matched his career high with eight strikeouts.

Trailing 4-0 in the top of the eighth, the Marauders got consecutive one-out singles by Jin-De Jhang and Ashley Ponce. Raul Fortunato hit a bouncing ball to short the shot up on a wicked hop into left field to score Jhang. After a wild pitch, Adam Frazier singled to plate two more runs and bring Bradenton within one.

Kevin Alexander (L, 0-1) blew the save and took the loss in his Palm Beach debut. Max Moroff reached on a two-base error to start the top of the ninth, then moved to third on Walker Gourley’s ground out. Jhang singled in Moroff to tie the score. A single by Ponce, followed by a walk to Fortunato loaded the bases. Justin Maffei walked to bring home the go-ahead run. Frazier then doubled to plate two more runs and establish the final margin.

Smith struck out the side in the ninth, finishing with four strikeouts over two innings in relief. Cardinals starter Corey Baker pitched the first five innings, allowing two hits and whiffing three.

Game two of the series is Saturday night at 6:35 p.m. Tyler Glasnow will be the Marauders starter. The game will be broadcast online at www.BradentonMarauders.com.

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