Cruisers Fall to Bulls, 20-6, in Five-Inning Contest
The Mayport Cruisers battled back briefly after an early deficit but could not contain a late offensive surge from the Marietta Bulls, falling 20-6 on April 22 in a five-inning mercy-rule loss.
Jacksonville, FL — The Mayport Cruisers battled back briefly after an early deficit but could not contain a late offensive surge from the Marietta Bulls, falling 20-6 on April 22 in a five-inning mercy-rule loss.
The Bulls jumped out early, plating two runs in the first inning and adding five more in the second to take immediate control. The Cruisers were held scoreless through the first two frames before finally breaking through in the third.
Cayden McGarity provided the spark for Mayport, launching a three-run home run in the top of the third to put the Cruisers on the board and cut into the deficit. The momentum carried into the fourth inning, where Mayport added two more runs to trim the lead to 8-5 and put some pressure on the Bulls after digging out of the early hole.
That was as close as the Cruisers would get.
Marietta answered in the bottom of the fourth with two runs to regain breathing room, then broke the game open with a 10-run fifth inning. The inning was capped by Dave Mitchum’s second home run of the night, ending the contest via mercy rule.
The Bulls finished with 12 hits and powered their offense with four home runs. Mitchum led the way with a 2-for-3 performance and two home runs, while Tommy Finley went 2-for-3 with a home run of his own. Anthony Moore also added a home run as part of Marietta’s power display, and Zander Vigil reached base throughout the night, finishing 2-for-2.
Mayport collected seven hits in the loss. Kelby Stayley was the lone Cruiser with multiple hits, going 2-for-3 at the plate. McGarity’s three-run homer accounted for the team’s biggest swing offensively.
Dylan Owens earned the win for Marietta after working four innings and allowing five runs, three earned.
Kevin Baez was charged with the loss for the Cruisers after allowing two earned runs over two-thirds of an inning. Baez exited early after hitting three batters, forcing Mayport to turn to its bullpen earlier than planned.
Despite the loss, the Cruisers showed resilience in climbing back into the game after trailing 7-0 early, cutting the deficit to three before Marietta’s late offensive outburst put the game away.