ports Marauders 11, Hammerheads 6

DUNEDIN — The Bradenton Marauders (4-5) have won consecutive games after blistering the Jupiter Hammerheads (3-6) 11-6 on Friday night at McKechnie Field. Bradenton led by as many as eight runs and never faced the tying run even as Jupiter plated four straight runs in the seventh and eighth innings.

LHP Andy Otamendi (W, 1-1) entered in relief in the fifth inning and the game tied 2-2. By the time he toed the rubber to begin his third inning of work the Marauders led 10-2. The lefty tossed three frames to earn his first win of the year. LHP Steven Brault started and pitched the first four innings. RHP Clario Perez struck out five while collecting the final six outs.

2B Erich Weiss opened the scoring with a first inning sacrifice fly. He finished the night 2-for-4 with a game-high three RBIs. 1B Jose Osuna and SS JaCoby Jones each had two hits and drove in two runs. CF Austin Meadows went 2-for-5 and drove in a run while raising his season average to .389. DH Jordan Steranka capped the scoring with his second home run of the season, a solo home run in the eighth inning to snap Jupiter’s late scoring run and establish the final margin.

The game began at 6:32 p.m. under cloudy skies, 82 degrees, wind blowing 11mph out to centerfield. Jupiter starter Scott Lyman is now 0-6 in seven career starts against the Marauders. The Hammerheads, who play at notorious pitchers park Roger Dean Stadium, had only one home run this season before hitting three in a span of two innings tonight. The Marauders have clubbed at least 10 hits in five straight games. Michael Fransoso has thrown out two runners at the plate in the same game twice this season.

Tomorrow, the Marauders play game two of the series against Jupiter at 6:30 p.m. RHP Matt Benedict will make his second start for the Marauders while LHP Chris Sadberry will be on the hill for the Hammerheads. Live streaming audio will be available online at www.BradentonMarauders.com and via the TuneIn App.