MICHAEL PISTELLA mpistella@breezenewspapers.com Mariner junior Matt Morales had two hits and knocked in three runs during the Tritons' 11-4 win over Cape Coral Tuesday night. To view more photos from the game, see the Cape Coral Breeze Facebook page.

The Mariner Tritons baseball team toppled Cape Coral 11-4 Tuesday night at home behind a big fifth inning and strong outing from junior Sam Duvall.  

The Tritons sent 11 batters to the plate and pushed across six runs in a game that was tied 4-4 heading into the bottom of the fifth. The first three batters of the inning reached base before senior Jorin Ohime (2-for-4) singled home the first run of the inning. Senior Jeff Mackey brought home another with a sacrifice fly and was followed by three straight RBI-inducing singles from Anthony Pimentel, Duvall and Matt Morales (2-for-4, 3 RBI). 

The Tritons (6-8) have now won three of their last four and will continue their three-game series with the Seahawks (5-10) Wednesday and Thursday. 

“We get after it and we’re having fun, that’s the name of the game,” said Tritons head coach Tom Woodley. “We just try and make the right plays, throw strikes, put the ball in play when we have to and see what happens.” 

Mariner wasted no time getting ahead of Cape in the first inning, scoring three runs against Seahawks starter Alex Kolasinski. RBI hits from Morales, Nick Mackey and Dominick Cotoni accounted for the early output.  

MICHAEL PISTELLA mpistella@breezenewspapers.com Cape Coral DH Mike Ruse (25) hit a grand slam during the Seahawks' game against Mariner Tuesday night. To view more photos from the game, see the Cape Coral Breeze Facebook page.

Cape Coral would respond in a big way in the top half of the second, as designated hitter Mike Ruse launched a grand slam to left after a single and two walks loaded the bases.  

Ohine would score on a throwing error in the bottom of the second to tie the game 4-4. Both pitchers would settle down until Mariner’s explosion in the fifth.  

In the winning effort, Duvall worked 5 1/3 innings, striking out six, walking three and allowed just four hits.  

“He works hard. His mechanics are coming along,” Woodley said of his starting pitcher. “He’s a kid that just moved down here from Ohio, and they didn’t even get on the field last year. So he’s still working his way back up and he’s going a great job for us. We expect him to be a starter for us every week. He battled and that’s all we can ask for.” 

Pimentel would drive in his second run of the night in the bottom of the sixth to extend the lead and Cotoni closed the door, striking out the side to end the game.  

“Kudos to Mariner. They definitely stayed in the game all the way through and did a great job over there continuing to fight and get a win against us,” said Cape head coach Mark Gorton.  

While Kolasinski’s final line won’t be one to remember, the righty fought back after a tough first inning and kept his team in the game until the back end of the contest.  

“He’s done a great job for us. He did his part tonight for sure,” Gorton said.  

Defense was a big part of this one as well, as Cape made six errors while Mariner played spotless baseball, including two double plays.  

“If you ever come to our practices, we’re very much defense-oriented,” Woodley said. “We want ground balls and we feel on every one we have a chance to turn a double play and that’s what we’re going to try to do.” 

— Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj