Ricketts Leads Threshers Past Tarpons, 8-4

April 18, 2023 – Florida State League (FSL) – Tampa Tarpons News Release

Tampa Tarpons’ Hayden Merda in action
(Tampa Tarpons)

TAMPA, Fla. – Fresh off a six-game split in Dunedin, the Tampa Tarpons (4-6) suffered a tough loss against the Clearwater Threshers (6-4) at GMS Field, 8-4. Manager Rachel Balkovec handed the ball to RHP Hayden Merda (5.0IP, 7H, 4R, 3ER, BB, 5K) in the series opener. Merda primarily relied on his sinker, throwing it 37% of the time, but was unable to record any swings and misses with the pitch.

Clearwater had a two-out rally started in the first inning thanks to a triple off the bat of Caleb Ricketts and a free pass to Gabriel Rincones Jr. Merda made a pickoff to first base that caught Rincones in a rundown, but Ricketts was able to cross the plate and steal home, giving Clearwater the early lead on the double steal.

With one away in the second, Cole Moore ripped a line drive single up the middle to set up the Threshers. After a productive out moved him to second, Erick Brito hit a high chopper to third base that he beat out for an infield single. Again, Tampa had trouble with a pickoff to first, with Merda throwing the ball into the stands to gift Clearwater their second run of the game.

Former Tarpon Nick Nelson started on the mound for Clearwater, making a rehab start after dealing with a hamstring strain. He was sharp in his two innings of work while using his fastball, which sat near 93 MPH.

Emmarion Boyd led off the top of the third with a hit-by-pitch. On the very next pitch, he swiped second base to put a runner in scoring position for Clearwater. Ricketts grounded a ball up the middle to extend Clearwater’s lead to three. Merda was able to evade further trouble thanks to 1B Omar Martinez, who made two nice plays to escape the jam.

After an infield single by Bryan Rincon, C Agustin Ramirez showed off his arm, throwing a laser to second base to catch Rincon stealing. Erick Brito started another two-out rally for Clearwater, blazing into third with a triple. Justin Crawford added to the lead with a bloop single to extend their lead to four. As he was hustling to second, Crawford overslid the bag to get Tampa out of the inning.

CF Daury Arias got things started for the Tarpons in the fifth with a line drive double down the right field line. RF Taylor Aguilar followed up the double with a moonshot that bounced off the top of the wall, traveling 414 feet to bring in Tampa’s first run of the game. Aguilar was furious as he…