Cruisers Drop Home Contest to Indians, 13-2 in Seven-Inning Final
The Mayport Cruisers were held in check offensively for much of the afternoon and could not recover from a pair of big innings by the Jacksonville Indians, falling 13-2 in a game shortened to seven innings by the mercy rule at Greenland Park on April 26.
Jacksonville, FL — The Mayport Cruisers were held in check offensively for much of the afternoon and could not recover from a pair of big innings by the Jacksonville Indians, falling 13-2 in a game shortened to seven innings by the mercy rule at Greenland Park on April 26.
The game was scoreless through the first two innings before the Indians broke through in the third. Jacksonville plated five runs in the frame to take control, then added four more in the fifth to extend the lead. A three-run sixth and a single run in the seventh put the game out of reach and brought the contest to an early close.
Mayport struggled to generate early offense, going scoreless through the first four innings despite putting runners on base. The Cruisers broke through in the fifth, scoring their only two runs of the game. Cayden McGarity drove in one of those runs, accounting for the team’s lone RBI on the day.
Chris Rogero led the way at the plate for Mayport, going a perfect 3-for-3 and providing the only multi-hit performance for the Cruisers. Kelby Staley, Sage Ramirez, Joshua Kuss, and Matt Bogawitch each added a hit as Mayport finished with eight hits overall.
Jacksonville matched that total with eight hits of their own but capitalized on opportunities throughout the game. Jordan Tylski and Nick Ulrich each recorded two hits, with Ulrich providing the game’s lone home run.
Willie Farrar earned the win for the Indians, tossing five innings and allowing two runs, one earned, on six hits while striking out four and walking one.
McGarity took the loss for the Cruisers, working four innings and allowing four runs, three earned, on three hits. He issued seven walks and struck out three.
Defensively, the Cruisers committed three errors, which contributed to Jacksonville’s ability to extend innings and build momentum.
Despite matching the Indians in hits, Mayport was unable to deliver timely offense and was hurt by walks and defensive miscues, while Jacksonville took advantage and steadily pulled away after the third inning to secure the mercy-rule victory.