Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News: August 3 - August 9, 2024

The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, have had a dynamic week filled with exciting games and notable performances. Here’s a breakdown of their recent matches and key highlights:

July 9-15: Series Against the Daytona Tortugas

The Mighty Mussels faced off against the Daytona Tortugas in a series that saw a mix of wins and losses. The series began with a tough 9-0 loss on July 9, where the Tortugas homered three times to secure a decisive victory. The Mighty Mussels bounced back on July 10, but still fell short with a 5-4 loss. The series continued with a postponed game on July 12 due to inclement weather, which was later made up as part of a doubleheader on July 13.

In the doubleheader, the Mighty Mussels secured a crucial win in the first game, with Charlee Soto throwing five innings of shutout ball to help the team win 4-3. However, the second game saw the Tortugas take the win 6-3, with Poncho Ruiz’s late homer not enough to turn the tide.

July 6-8: Series Against the Bradenton Marauders

Before the Tortugas series, the Mighty Mussels had a successful run against the Bradenton Marauders. On July 6, they dominated with a 6-1 win, thanks to a combined pitching effort that limited the Marauders to just two singles. The next day, the Mighty Mussels crushed three home runs to secure a 7-3 victory, matching a season high for home runs in a single game. On Independence Day, July 4, the Mighty Mussels edged out the Marauders 2-1, with Bengard pitching a strong game.

July 19: Win Against the Clearwater Threshers

In their most recent game, the Mighty Mussels had a stellar performance against the Clearwater Threshers. Ricky Castro struck out seven batters and Rixon Wingrove homered to help the team win 6-1. Castro threw five shutout innings, allowing just one base hit, which was a highlight of the game.

Key Players and Performances

- **Charlee Soto**: The 18-year-old pitcher set a new career high in strikeouts during the game against the Daytona Tortugas on July 13.

- **Poncho Ruiz**: Ruiz homered late in the game against the Tortugas on July 14, though it wasn’t enough to secure a win.

- **Ricky Castro**: Castro’s impressive performance against the Clearwater Threshers included seven strikeouts and five shutout innings.

- **Rixon Wingrove**: Wingrove homered against his former team, the Clearwater Threshers, contributing to the Mighty Mussels’ 6-1 win.

Upcoming Changes

The Lee Health Sports Complex, home of the Mighty Mussels, will begin transitioning to a cashless venue in 2025. This change will affect food and beverage, merchandise, parking, and ticketing, aiming to streamline the payment process for fans.

Conclusion

The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels have shown resilience and talent over the past week, with notable performances from key players like Charlee Soto, Poncho Ruiz, Ricky Castro, and Rixon Wingrove. As the season progresses, fans can expect more exciting games and innovative changes to enhance the gameday experience.