Florida State League ( Low A ) - Clearwater 10 (7-4) Dunedin 1 (8-3)
Dunedin, FL - TD Ballpark
Summary :
An 11 AM game start - elementary education day at the ballpark in Dunedin. The Threshers took the Jays to school in this one 🤓.
Aidan Miller singled in the third inning and scored on a double off the right center field wall by Jordan Viars.
Dakota Kotowski and Trent Farquhar reached base on walks in the fifth inning. They scored when Aidan Miller smoked a double off the left field wall (104 mph exit velocity). Jordan Viars then hit a 346 foot home run (98 mph exit velocity) over the right field fence to plate two runs 👀. Avery Owusu-Asiedu and Pierce Bennett walked. Nikau Pouaka-Grego singled to score a run. Luis Caicuto reached on a fielders choice. Dakota Kotowski singled to score two runs.
The Threshers loaded the bases in the sixth on a single by Aidan Miller and two walks. Pierce Bennett grounded into a 6-4-3 double play during which a run scored.
In the 8th Aidan Miller beat out an infield grounder to short for a hit, he went to third on a rocket single (109 mph off the bat) to right field by Jordan Viars. Avery Owusu-Asiedu singled to score Miller.
Dunedin scored a run in the 8th on a triple followed by a wild pitch.
On The Hill : 1 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 11 K’s
Micah Ottenbreit was dominant - five no hit, no run innings - 2 BB, 6 K’s - 65 pitches - 39 strikes - showed four pitches (sinker - 91 to 95 mph, curve, slider and change up). Great to see as the young man has battled his way back from TJ surgery - have always touted his stuff - days like today are exciting to see! Micah is just 20 years old - was the 4th round draft selection of the 2021 draft out of high school in Michigan.
Jaydenn Estanista pitched two innings - 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s - fastball touched 96 mph. Paxton Thompson pitched two innings - 1 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s.
At Bat : 10 R, 14 H, 10 BB, 11 K’s
Aidan Miller (three singles & double) had four hits. Jordan Viars had three hits (single,double & HR & 2 BB - three RBIs). Lou Albrecht had three hits (singles) in his first game of the season and as a Thresher. Nikau Pouaka-Grego had two hits (singles). Avery Owusu-Asiedu singled and drew three walks. Every batter in the order reached base at least once.
Defensive Gems :
Shortstop Aidan Miller made a very athletic play on a ground ball in the third base hole during the fourth inning. He fielded the ball and used a jump throw to nail the runner at first base. He made another good play on a short hop in the seventh inning. Has displayed all the tools to excel playing shortstop.
Center fielder Avery Owusu-Asiedu threw out a runner at the plate to end the 8th inning after fielding a ground ball single - it was an on target throw that catcher Lou Albrecht made a great snag on the short hop to easily tag the runner out 👀.
Did Ya Know 🤔 :
“SHARK BAIT (OOH HA HA): last night TJayy Walton became the first Thresher to homer in back-to-back games this season. He is also the first Thresher to hit multiple home runs in 2024. Aidan Miller became the second with a solo homer in the seventh. Avery Owusu-Asiedu's homer was the first for him in 2024. Pierce Bennett had two hits for the third time this season. Devin Saltiban recorded his first multi-hit game of the season.” - Josh Sperber - Clearwater Threshers Broadcaster
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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