Tarpons Snap Six-Game Skid With An Offensive Outburst, Win 12-7

May 16, 2023 – Florida State League (FSL) – Tampa Tarpons News Release

Tampa Tarpons’ Jared Serna at bat
(Tampa Tarpons)

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Tarpons (12-22) flexed their muscles in Tuesday’s contest against the Dunedin Blue Jays (18-16) as the offense broke out for twelve runs. After a tough road trip, the Tarpons returned home to George M. Steinbrenner Field, where there was no lack of power; the two teams combined for nineteen runs. Tampa’s twelve-run explosion was led by SS Jared Serna, who picked up four hits, including his fifth home run of the year.

The Tarpons turned to RHP Hayden Merda (3.1IP, 4H, 5R, 5BB, K, HR), who struggled in his three-plus innings of work. He did not incorporate many off-speed pitches, as they only accounted for 11% of his total pitch usage. He also did not net many swings and misses (6), but the offensive production overshadowed the mediocre start.

The scoring began right away for Tampa. Serna’s red-hot season continued right away as he opened the bottom of the first with a base hit through the left side. RF Anthony Hall showed off his opposite-field power, hammering a ground-rule double over the fence in left-center. C Agustin Ramirez drove home the first run of the night when he sent Robertis all the way to the right field warning track for a SAC-fly that advanced both runners. LF Daury Arias kept the runs coming by grounding an RBI single back up the middle.

Dunedin answered right back in the second. Jalen Rudd worked a leadoff walk and swiped second base. Abiezel Ramirez launched a homerun to right field to knot the score at two.

Manuel Beltre looped a single to open the third frame. After a fielder’s choice, Tucker Toman was on first base and showed off his speed when Peyton Williams lined a double down the left-field line. Toman scored all the way from first, giving Dunedin the lead. Dunedin loaded the bases after an error and a walk. Merda escaped the threat when he got Nic Deschamps to ground out to first base.

The back-and-forth battle continued in the home half of the third. Serna absolutely destroyed a home run off the scoreboard in left field. It was his fifth homer of the season, which leads all Tarpons hitters. After a walk to Hall, Ramirez roped a 104 MPH single past the diving Toman to put runners on the corners for Tampa. Arias plated both runners with another base hit to left field; however, he was out trying to stretch the single into a double.

After retiring the first batter in the fourth, Merda…