ports Bradenton 6, Fort Myers 5 (11 innings)

Bradenton, FL – SS JaCoby Jones knocked a hot shot single off Fort Myers (31-32) second baseman Ryan Walker’s glove and into right field to plate CF Justin Maffei with one out in the 11th and send the Marauders (29-34) to a 6-5 win on Sunday at McKechnie Field. Maffei singled with one out against Luke Westphal (L, 2-3) to start the rally and went to second on a single chopped up the middle by RF Harold Ramirez.

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RHP Tyler Eppler started for the Marauders in his season debut. A long third inning led to four Fort Myers runs and a 4-0 lead for the Miracle. RHP Miguel Rosario and RHP Frank Duncan combined to blank the Miracle until the ninth. The Marauders scored in four consecutive innings to take the lead. Duncan, who whiffed three over five innings, surrendered a leadoff single to Mitch Garver in the ninth.

Pinch runner Engelb Vielma reached third with two outs, where pinch hitter Chad Christensen’s soft single to shortstop tied the game to force extras. LF Barrett Barnes went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Ramirez had three hits and an RBI. 3B Chris Diaz notched three hits with a run scored and an RBI.

The game began at 1:03 p.m. under cloudy skies, 89 degrees, and wind blowing 11 mph from right to left. The Marauders secured a last at-bat victory at home in the ninth inning or later for the first time this year. Bradenton is now 3-7 in extra innings, Fort Myers is 9-8 in extra frames. Fort Myers has matched their franchise record for extra-inning games in a season at 17. Chris Diaz recorded his first three-hit game since 08/05/14 with West Virginia.

The Marauders begin a four game series against the Tampa Yankees at McKechnie Field at 6:30 p.m. LHP Steven Brault will be on the mound against RHP Gabriel Encinas. Live streaming audio will be available on www.BradentonMarauders.com and on the TuneIn App.