Braden River Rallies Late To Upend Tampa Bay Tech

Trailing by a run late in the game, Braden River’s capitalized on key mistakes in the sixth inning to pull off an 8-3 comeback win over Tampa Bay Tech Thursday. Gavin Root finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored, including a go-ahead hit in the sixth that proved to be the difference for the Pirates (1-1).

With the game tied at 2-2 entering the sixth, the Titans (0-2) took the lead on a clutch, two-out base hit. Taylor Bortkowski took the plate with courtesy runner Jovan Dilworth on second base in for Brandyn Bortkowski, who drew a walk two at-bats before. On the first pitch he saw, Taylor Bortkowski knocked a line drive to left field for an RBI double.

Still in the sixth, the game was set to slip away from Braden River trailing 3-2 with the bases loaded after a Joe Lewis single and Malcolm Boyd walked. However, pitcher Andre Fonseca held his composure and struck Jeff Ray out swinging to escape the inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Pirates responded. With two outs and a runner on first after an error, Richie Morales and pinch hitter Miclayne Powell drew consecutive walks to load the bases. Before Root stepped up to bat, Tampa Bay Tech manager Demetrius Heath subbed pitcher Jaiden Underwood in favor of a fresh arm.

It made no difference to Root, who drilled the first pitch he saw to right field, clearing the bases for a three-RBI triple to give Braden River the 5-3 lead.

Fonseca took the mound in the top of the seventh and sealed the deal for Braden River. He entered in relief and pitched three innings allowing one earned run, three hits, two walks and recording two strikeouts to earn the win.

Despite the no decision, Pirates starter Ryan Duncan pitched a solid four innings allowing one walk, no hits or earned runs and one strikeout.

JJ Bouche and Morales each scored two runs for Braden River.

Tech starter Frederick Myles pitched four innings, allowing two hits, two walks, no earned runs and a strikeout in the no-decision. Taylor Bortkowski went 1-for-2 with an RBI, run, and a walk. Lewis went 1-for-3 with a run and Dilworth scored a run as well.

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