MICHAEL PISTELLA mpistella@breezenewspapers.com Mariner freshman Anthony Pimentel (12) hits a two-out, two-RBI single to put the Tritons on top 4-3 in their win over Palmetto Ridge Monday night at Terry Park in Fort Myers. To view more photos from the game, see the Cape Coral Breeze Facebook page.

In a back-and-forth affair Monday night, Mariner pushed across two runs in the sixth and closed things out in the seventh to secure a 4-3 win over Palmetto Ridge in the Tritons’ opening round Battle of the Border tournament game. 

Staged at Terry Field in Fort Myers, the Tritons (12-8) extended their win-streak to eight and have now come out on top in nine of their last 10.  

“We’re playing good baseball. That’s our focus,” said Mariner head coach Tom Woodley. “The kids are clicking. They’re buying in to what we’re doing.” 

Junior Sam Duvall took the hill for the Tritons and was sharp over five innings of work. He allowed three runs on four hits, struck of five and walked two in the no decision. 

“I thought he pitched really well,” Woodley said. “He had a couple key at-bats where  

MICHAEL PISTELLA mpistella@breezenewspapers.com Mariner junior Sam Duvall struck out five in the Tritons’ 4-3 win over Palmetto Ridge Monday night at Terry Park in Fort Myers. To view more photos from the game, see the Cape Coral Breeze Facebook page.

(Palmetto Ridge) battled well. It was a close ballgame, and he made the pitches when he needed to.” 

Leadoff man Jeff Mackey, who finished 2-for-3 with a walk and RBI, drove home the first run of the game in the bottom of the second via a two-out single.  

Palmetto Ridge (7-9) would get to Duvall with two outs in the top of the third, as the Bears drove in two runs on a base hit and a third on a wild pitch.  

After a Matt Morales sacrifice fly in the fifth cut the deficit to one, Triton freshman Anthony Pimentel came up clutch with a two-out, two-RBI single to put Mariner on top 4-3.  

“It’s a game winner,” Woodley said. “Guys did a good job of fighting in their at-bats and getting on base, and that’s all we can ask for.” 

Pimentel went 3-for-4 on the night out of the No. 2 slot. Senior Dominic Cotoni provided both offense and solid relief for the Tritons. He reached base in all three of his at-bats (single, two walks) and did his job on the mound.  

Cotoni earned the win, tossing two innings of scoreless baseball, striking out three and allowing just two hits.  

“He came in and slammed the door,” Woodley said.  

Catcher Drew Gifford was also a bright spot for Mariner, as the senior went 2-for-3 from the No. 9 spot and was a wall behind the plate, blocking numerous balls in the dirt with runners on base.  

“Gifford has been solid for us. He’s come along in the last three to four weeks and he’s a leader,” Woodley said. “The bat has been coming around. He struggled early in the season and we’ve been working and working, just keeping it simple.” 

Mariner has come a long way since sitting at 3-7 a month ago. Woodley said the club, despite the start to the year, continued to put in the work required to improve and it’s starting to pay off.  

“They’re starting to see the fruits of their labor right now,” he said. “We’re happy to be playing our best baseball at this time but we want to keep getting better. We stranded some runners early on in the game. We tend to focus more when our back is against the wall, but I would like to get those runs early and see what happens.” 

The Tritons will take on LaBelle (6-9-1) tonight at 7 p.m. at Terry Park in the second round of the Battle of the Border.  

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