Marauders Win Nail Biter Against Stone Crabs

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The Marauders (12-5) won another nail biter on Monday night at McKechnie Field, snagging a 2-1 win against the Charlotte Stone Crabs (5-12). Pat Ludwig (W 2-0) turned in a second straight tremendous start, firing six innings without allowing an earned run. The righty struck out five over six innings on the hill.

All of the scoring in the game came in the third inning. Charlotte took advantage of a Bradenton miscue to go on top 1-0. With two outs and the bases empty, Andrew Toles hit a grounder of the middle that was bobbled near the second base bag by Ashley Ponce. Leonardo Reginatto followed with a double down the left field line to score Toles from first.

The Marauders used their hallmark base path aggressiveness to snag a pair of runs in the home half of the third. Jeff Roy and Walker Gourley each drilled first-pitch singled to right against Roberto Gomez (L, 0-2). Josh Bell’s sacrifice bunt to the left side drew a crowd, with third baseman Hector Guevara and Gomez giving way to catcher Justin O’Conner who fired to first. Roy never stopped running, breezing past the crowd of fielders on the third base line to score. With third base uncovered, Gourley went first to third on the play without a throw. Jose Osuna grounded to first, but Gourley drew a throw home and retreated safely to third to allow Osuna to reach. Gourley scored the winning run on Jordan Steranka’s fielder’s choice grounder to third.

Thomas Harlan fired two scoreless innings in relief of Ludwig. Tyler Waldron earned his first save of the season with a one-two-three ninth, including two strikeouts.

The Marauders have won seven straight games leading up to Tuesday’s home stand finale. John Kuchno takes the ball to try and extend the winning streak to eight. First pitch is at 6:30 p.m., with gates opening at 5:30 p.m.

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