Marauders unbeaten after first weekend

The Bradenton Marauders are one of only two unbeaten teams remaining following the first three days of play in the Florida State League.

After trouncing Fort Myers Miracle 18-3 in their season and inaugural opener, the Marauders showed they know how to win close games with 5-3 and 4-3 victories on the road against the Miracle.

The Marauders are off Sunday and take on Fort Myers again at home Monday night before embarking on a three game road trip to face the Jupiter Hammerheads (2-1), an FSL South Division foe.

After playing before a boisterous crowd of 2,396 at McKechnie Field, the Marauders played in front of 8,157 for the Fort Myers home opener. The second game between the teams (Saturday) drew a crowd of 1,876.

Heading into Sunday’s games, Bradenton leads the FSL with a team .350 batting average and its five homers is also a league high.

The top hitter for Bradenton is outfielder Robbie Grossman, who is batting .500 (6 for 12) and has gone 2 for 4 in each game. Third baseman Jeremy Farrell, who homered twice in the season opener, leads the Marauders with three homers and 12 RBIs and is carrying a hefty .455 batting average.

Bryan Morris, who started the opener and went 4 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run, leads the staff with five strikeouts. Noah Krol has two saves and in two innings has not allowed a run and given up only one hit.

The Charlotte Stone Crabs, another South Division opponent, was also 3-0 heading after the first three days of the season. The Tampa Rays farm team drew 6,325 for their season opener.